The retirement day.

• Margrate's pound notes - design by Adam Pridgeon

I’d like to share something that happened at my office last Friday. It was Margaret’s last day in the office and the day of she retires. She was one of our admin staff who works to prepare the pay cheque, leave application, filing and other behind the architectural scene stuff. On that very last day, a short ceremony was held to celebrate her effort on making the works in the office go smooth. All the staffs gathered in the office receptions. They also invited Margaret’s husband and close family. I felt touched and left a good feeling to see how you ended a working life with a "toss" of appreciation by the company and with the family (do you get your family invited for office occasion?). She received a few gifts from all the firm’s branches (London, Luton, Glasgow, & Manchester) which were inclusive of a holiday package. The most interesting gift was from one of my colleagues who gave a special token for her contribution by printing Margaret’s face on "Money notes"! A very own special note of Margaret’s Edition.

Our regional director, Martin Chew gave a speech in conjunction with her retirement. It was a poem-like speech. I believe the speech had touched every one’s heart. It seemed that people around her know her very well. The speech made me think and wonders; could I survive in this journey of architecture? How would my last day be celebrated by others? How would my family/colleagues value my achievement? I guess the most important thing is to ENJOY the journey while walking our life along it

"Now is the time for you go back to your family. Your husband has been
patiently waiting for this moment for 20 years"