selen

I returned to work yesterday for my now-you-see-him, now-you-don't act, before we go away again today, which I have to say is definitely the way to return from a holiday. But amongst the familiarity there was something missing: Selen was gone.

Selen's last day at work was while I was on holiday. She had the office next door, and was my colleague and counterpart in the teams we work in. She started as a new grad some months before I arrived, and when I was new to the team she showed me the footholds and told me where the alligators were. In the sixteen months we've been working together there have been some challenging situations we've both had to face. It was good to have a colleague to share them with.

Selen, congratulations for making a positive move to the next stage in your career. Don't forget there is never an end to how much work they will be willing to give you, and to the needs of the people we serve. So we have to pace ourselves for the career-length marathon, not the next-crisis sprint. And maybe sometimes we need to Just Say No!™ Selen, I will miss you being around. May your life journey take you in surprising and good directions.

So here's to Selen. Your office may be empty, but though the name on the door will eventually be changed, your memory won't fade. Keep in touch.