The Reality of Local Government Employees: Final Episode - The Day of Closure
The morning was the same as always.
Just because it was a special day didn't mean it would be a special morning.
I was a little nervous, but
I woke up, got ready, and left the house.
The morning of my final day after 42 years of work was, in the end, just the same as any other morning.
The appointment ceremony ended in the blink of an eye.
My name was called, I stepped forward, and I received a single piece of paper.
And that was it.
I thought to myself that 42 years of closure comes down to a single sheet of paper.
It was a strange feeling, both heavy and light at the same time.
After that, I went around the town to say my goodbyes.
I made my rounds with a heart full of gratitude.
But everywhere I went, the question I was asked was about my next job.
Were they cheering me on,
were they worried about me,
or was it just simple curiosity?
I gave the same explanation over and over,
and said "I'll do my best" many times.
Even though today was supposed to be a day for expressing gratitude,
it was a day spent talking a lot about the future.
In the afternoon, I went around the office to say goodbye to my colleagues.
Perhaps it would have been better to talk to each person slowly.
But because I felt a bit shy, in the end, wherever I went,
"Thank you very much."
That was all I said as I made my rounds.
I received many kind words, but
the most common one was
"Thank you for your hard work."
That was the phrase.
It felt like a day where I had 42 years worth of "thank you for your hard work"
all said to me at once.
That was the kind of day it was.
Before the ceremony, I was strangely calm.
When I entered the venue, I was welcomed with applause,
and I felt, as if it were someone else's business,
that I was the main character today.
I received a letter of appreciation,
and a bouquet of flowers from my peers.
I should have been nervous about my speech, but
once I started talking, I calmed down a little,
though my throat was parched.
Gratitude to the seniors who had already retired,
and gratitude to the colleagues I work with now.
That was the one thing I really wanted to convey.
The ceremony ended,
I returned to my desk, we all took photos together,
and in the end, I left with a smile.
And so, my 42-year career at the town office came to an end.
It felt like a long time,
yet it also felt like it passed in the blink of an eye,
a truly strange day.
I believe that I was only able to make it this far
thanks to so many people.
To all the staff I worked with,
to all the townspeople who supported me,
to everyone in related organizations,
thank you so much.
And,
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the mentor who supported me through this final year.
The day of closure.
The first chapter of my life as a local government employee comes to an end.
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