The Last Day

This morning after an exciting night of journal writing and being in a constant state of excitement, I asked myself, once sufficiently awake, “How do I feel?”

Being my last day at a 14-year career at Nordstrom, moving to another continent, etc. I answered half asleep even before coffee, “I feel good.” Although Ray Charles would have said it much better, even sitting on le twalette. Toilet 🚽

So I called dad before they left to Vegas, confirming that good feeling. And I was fine. I lived through a semi-normal with bouts of excitement day, prompted by the 9:45 am promise of 4 pm margaritas at Old Town Mexican Cafe (my going away party).

So, document this please, on my last, I repeat very last day, (no more sales, stock, or inventory last day) I was happily- and luckily- working with Carol, Jacquie, Bridgette, all long time Brass Plumbers and then Allie and Marie. We had fun doing the Lauren (merchandising) in the morning, while Jacquie and I listened to Bridgette and Marie argue over whether to put the sweater on the display doll or over her shoulders. (They ended up doing one of each.)

Finally 4:00 pm rolled around, then 5 pm and endlich (finally) 6:00 when Carol and I took our leave. We got to Old Town Cafe to meet Bridgette, Jacquie, Kimberly, Dawn and then Bill, Marie, Allie and Roxxy, and Cathy. It was really good and even after most of them left—- and tricked me by saying we were going to Cafe Sevilla, me Roxxy, Allie and Dawn stayed till 11:15 pm. Good talks, good margarita pitchers, and good fun.

Tomorrow Roxanne said she’ll do my Runes, since I listened to her story of how her “boyfriend” cheated on her.

Now you may ask, “how do I feel.” Well in two ways, different. I feel relaxed, relieved and happy yes “semi retired”. I’m looking forward to good change and a new lifestyle. I don’t feel obligated to anybody or anything, except myself, which is a good thing. (A theme that is to continue throughout my life.) That feels the best. A clean slate. (That’s what the number 1 year is about after all.) It’s a great feeling. I feel free, extremely free.

My mental chatterbox kicked in on the freeway driving from “work” to Old Town saying, “Now you’re unemployed… blah blah blah,” and I turned it off.

Good night and Sleep Tight. I’ll see you in the morning of the first day of the rest of my life 🙂

Sunday 24 January, 1999

P.S. I found a lucky 🍀 nickel on the way into work this morning. I also saw a black cat, then a white cat. And I found a lucky penny tonight when we left the bar.