[2024-10-28] Gratitude for former colleagues
This evening, I attended a retirement gathering for Simon Kennedy, who had been my boss and deputy minister at Health Canada when I became an assistant deputy minister (ADM).
What a soul-affirming ritual it is to bid someone well as they conclude one chapter in their book of life and begin a new one. But the benefits of such get-togethers extend far beyond the guest of honour; they are enjoyed by every attendee who is able to reconnect with former colleagues and friends.
Tonight, I met with people I hadn't seen in more than four years and others whom I had never met face to face but with whom I had worked, especially during the pandemic. There's something special about seeing someone in person—exchanging a warm hug, soaking up their goodness, breathing in their genuine caring.
As I saw each person in the crowded venue, a memory (sometimes several memories) would come rushing back to me. Some of those memories were of moments when I had observed them in the workplace; others were of times when we had worked together on difficult files; and still others were conversations we had had after I had left the Public Service.
Simon's thank-you speech focused on gratitude. I, too, felt gratitude—including to him for his guidance and support while I learned what it meant to be an ADM. But I also felt gratitude for many others in that room and shared with them memories of moments when they had been especially generous to me.
For instance, I thanked a former colleague who had reached out to me after I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and I replayed to her the eight words she had shared with me and that I had held onto in the early days of my treatment. They became a mantra I repeated to myself whenever I started climbing the what-if tree, worrying about everything that could go wrong with my recovery.
I shared with one former ADM colleague how proud I was of her. Like many of my erstwhile coworkers, she has gone on to become a deputy minister—an impressive achievement given that her path to the highest level of the Public Service was not likely an easy one.
I reminisced with a woman with whom I had started my career more than 35 years ago. How young and inexperienced we were then. How many stories would we have shared if we had only had the time?
I met a woman with whom I had worked at the height of the government's pandemic response, but had never met face to face. She was an exceptional leader, who exuded humanity, kindness, professionalism, empathy and sincere interest in the views of others at a time when these qualities were not always in evidence.
I reminded one woman of two kindnesses she had bestowed on me: one was sharing a box of tea that she thought I would like; the other was standing up for me during an executive committee meeting. And I forgot to share with her that one of the best pieces of career advice I ever heard came from her: "It's in the giving that I take."
I didn't have time to pass along to each person to whom I spoke this evening a recollection of their positive impact on me. After catching up on their lives—professional and personal—and sharing a few details from my own, one or both of us would get pulled in another direction. I recalled many stories that I might have shared this evening as I was writing this post.
I worked with many dedicated, driven and brilliant colleagues, who delivered amazing results for the Government of Canada and Canadians. But what I remember most is their kindness, their support and their mentorship.
Some I have been fortunate enough to develop friendships with, particularly those who—like me—have retired from the Public Service. Others are still caught up in the demands of their jobs, but I will be here when they retire and hope they will come calling.
To every single person I met this evening, I am grateful for our time together, grateful for your concern about my health, and grateful for your compliments about my blog. If we spoke tonight, know that I sought you our or welcomed your outreach because you are important to me.
