Zack Vayda and the Purpose of Endings

Today was my last day at my old job. Well, not entirely. I'm moving to a part time position within the same company, but as far as this position at this location with these people, I'm officially done. 

This is almost entirely a positive change for me. As I mentioned in past journals, there was nearly nothing about this job that allowed me to build on my strengths. In that sense I was counting down the days. 

This wasn't the first job I've had that I've hated, and it wasn't the first job that I've quit either. Because of my past experiences, I knew what the last day on the job looks like. It starts out as a normal day, progressing as it always does. Then, I start to list off all the "lasts" (last time with a customer, last pickup, last phone call, etc). Then, in the last hour, I start to remember that what made the job bearable was my coworkers. Then, I think about how I'll most likely never see some of them again. Last time, I had a hard time with this portion of the last day. But it was different this time around.

This time, while I certainly did have mixed feelings about never seeing some or all of my coworkers again, I had a level of acceptance I hadn't had before. Instead of struggling with it, I appreciated what they gave to me in this portion of my life. I was grateful that I met them, that I was able to work and grow with them, and that they are now a significant part of what makes me me. In other words, in the Story of Zack, my coworkers have now completed their character arc. Simultaneously, in the Story of "________," Zack has now completed his character arc. I like this analogy because it's more poetic, exactly how it's meant to be. 

After all, what would a poem, song, or story be without an ending?