One of our Directors at work, and one of the most well respected people in our organisation retired this year after thirty plus years working in the Health Sector.
Her staff and colleagues asked me to put a poem together for her. As always, they gave me some thoughts about her, and this is what I came up with. I was asked to read it out, and when I did there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Goodbye Sally
A smile, and time to lend an ear.
A warm and friendly voice
Skilled hands to heal,
And give comfort too
Such is the nurse’s choice
That was your choice
When you to Dorset came.
And from then, right up to present day
Countless lives, you’ve changed.
Here, in the heart of the CCG
Where the fun just never stops
You’ve helped us navigate our path
Through the brambles and the rocks
You’ve led us by example
Sometimes firmly – always fair
Steadfast in your professionalism
And not afraid to show you care
You’ve been brave enough to challenge
When you felt the need was right,
And when crisis came upon us
You stood with us in the fight.
You’ve been more than a boss to us,
Always someone on who we can depend.
And though your job title has changed through the years
We’ll always know you as ‘Friend’
When work was done, and dusted
And a team night out came round,
Job titles were left in the office
And we laughed on level ground
You see the good in all you meet
And recognise their worth.
Putting people at their ease
By being down to earth.
Speaking of earth, you’re travelling
When you leave the CCG
Off to South Africa for three weeks
A wonderful place to see!
Will you get time to practice,
Improving your golf swing?
So you can beat Mark over 9 holes
Now wouldn’t that be a thing!?
Although your time may be taken up
Giving cuddles to young Josie.
Feel free to bring her in to show us
We’ll take turns keeping her cosy.
Oh, all the things you’re going to do
Now with the time that’s yours.
Just remember to pop in now and then
We’ve always got open doors.
We will miss you Sally, oh so much
Especially Jacky, you’re beloved PA
Who asked for these words to be put together
So that we would get to say:
Your smile, and time to lend an ear,
Your warm and friendly voice
We wish we could keep you here with us,
But we know we don’t have that choice.
So, thank you Sally, thank you Boss
Thank you mentor, guide, and friend,
We will miss you, and we love you so –
And that will never end.