Time spent with people isn't about the duration 😊

Hello, this is Toshi 😊

Yesterday, I went to a farewell party for a colleague from work 🍻
Today, I'd like to write about what I felt anew at that time.

🍻 A sudden "Thank you for everything"

As of the end of last month, K-san, who was a manager at our call center, resigned.

I heard about the resignation around the middle of June.

In the morning, as I arrived at work and was preparing for the day, K-san came over to my desk and said,

"Toshi-san, thank you for everything!"

He called out to me.

"Huh?"

I asked back,

"I'm resigning at the end of this month. I came in today for the paperwork, but this is my last day at the office."

That's what he said.

It was so sudden that my mind went blank, and I couldn't come up with any clever words on the spot.

🌿 Looking back, there were so many memories

I spent time with K-san not just at work, but also many times in company clubs 😊

Barbecues 🍖

Cherry blossom viewing 🌸

Cheering at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu matches 🥋

Live concerts 🎸

Working out 🏋️

After-parties 🍺

Karaoke 🎤

When I start counting, there are truly so many memories.

What's more, we lived in the same neighborhood and headed in the same direction, so we always walked home together after gatherings, talking about all sorts of things.

Last time, we attended a farewell party for another member together, but

I never imagined that this time, I would be the one sending K off.

I couldn't have imagined that back then.

💼 The struggles unique to a manager

At the farewell party, someone asked what everyone had been wondering.

"Why did you quit?"

Then K said,

"Even after work or on my days off, work would pop into my head, and I couldn't relax anymore."

That's what they told us.

Most of the members, including me, are operators, so we don't have the same level of responsibility as a manager.

That's why it's hard to see the difficulties they face on a daily basis.

But I had experienced being a manager at a previous company, so I understood that feeling all too well.

Even when work is over, it never really ends.

Even on my days off, it never leaves my mind.

Being a manager is just that kind of position, isn't it?

😊 I want to support your new start

On the way home from the farewell party, we walked and talked together just like always.

K-san said,

“I’m thinking of looking for a job with weekends off where I can comfortably continue doing what I love 😊”

is what they told me.

K-san is seven years younger than me and has plenty of experience.

I’m sure they’ll find a new workplace that suits them in no time ✨

🙏 I was able to properly say “thank you”

As we parted ways yesterday, I was able to properly say

“Thank you for everything.”

once again.

I’m really glad I was able to do that at least 😊

I didn’t want the atmosphere to get too sentimental, so

“Let’s hang out again!”

“Thanks for all your hard work!”

We said our goodbyes just like we always do 👋

🌿It felt like much longer than two years

And today, as I write this article, a strange sense of sadness is welling up inside me.

I think it's because we made so many memories together.

But when I think about it, K-san only transferred to our department about two years ago.

Just two years.

And yet, we have so many memories.
It made me realize once again that time spent with people isn't about the duration🌿

K-san, thank you so much😊

Let's go out for a meal together again somewhere🍻

Thank you for reading until the end🙏
I hope you'll join me again in my next note😊