Pic: the painting (with Grace blending in)
I was the first to arrive at Ms. N's farewell lunch. When all 14 of us were seated, one of the first things we did was to interpret the painting on the wall. From the insights of OKY and others, we saw a cliff, with a soul at the edge there, perhaps going to take the plunge, to enter the sea, but not for harm, as the bright sun signifies a bright future. The black theme of the painting was not "dark" but starkly "bold."
And so Ms. N had her favourite, unagi. A sumptuous meal was had by all. Ms. N gave her farewell speech and it was from heart that we saw her sadness of parting with friends.
I gave my speech. The following captures most of what I said.
"This afternoon is about Ms. N. It's a farewell lunch but it's not really about farewell. It's about celebration, and appreciation, of all her successes and achievements with us.
So Ms. N, I thank and appreciate you for the partnership and teaming you have had with me, especially in the committee we are in.
I acknowledge and appreciate you for for making my work easy. You have always been a self-starter and did not need much guidance from me.
I appreciate the passion and dedication you have put into your work.
I admire you for your patience with me with my last-minute changes. For example one day before that one event last year when I said I did not like the door gift -- you took it upon yourself to go all the way to not only change it but also put in your effort to do the needed work with the merchandise provider to prepare the gifts on time.
I appreciate you for your willingness to risk and to venture into something new that you had no idea what to do but in the end made it successful. For example the Merdeka (Independence) Day Parade -- from a feeling of resistance ("I'm not that patriotic"), to happily leading and coordinating so many people for our organization to be in the parade, and not only was it a success, you ended up excited and enjoying it!
I know you'll do well because of these qualities of yours that I have mentioned.
I know we will still be friends and our paths will cross again.
I appreciate you and THANK YOU!"
And as I looked at the painting, I saw Ms. N having boldly taken the plunge, with the bright sun shining. She flies!
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