Au Revoir au Parlement

After a four-year run, today I wrapped up my 'career' as a heritage interpreter (i.e. tour guide) in the Parliament of Canada. It was hard. I know that I'm off to adventures and excitement overseas. But this job has been the centre point of my whole life here in Ottawa. It's where I met 95% of my friends. It's what gave me purpose in my tough early days in the city. Without question, it's played a significant part in shaping the person I am today (for better or crazier).

Turning in my security pass stung a little bit - in that moment I transformed from a parliamentarian back into a civilian. No more hanging out in the House of Commons Foyer at midnight, should the mood strike (the mood never struck before, but at least with my pass, I had the option).

I asked my supervisor if I could have the last tour of the day so that I could go out in style and he kindly obliged. What a perfect tour on which to end. An absolute fabulous group of guys. They were in high spirits, they asked intelligent questions and they let me have fun with them. It was a tour that reminded me of the thrill I had when I first started the job. And at the end of the tour, when I told them it was my last one, they gave me a round of applause and then they all came up, shook my hand and wished me luck. Thank you, gentlemen, for helping end on such a high note! You made my day! (Hope you had a good time imbibing at D'Arcy McGee's).

In a few minutes I have to head off to my goodbye soirée - the gang is gathering at my fave pub, Lunenburg, for reminiscing, hugs and tasty, tasty cider. I just want to give a HUGE thank you to every single person who has made my time at Parliament such a joyful chapter of my life.

To the constables, scanners, boutique team, cafeteria squad, maintenance brigade, pages (senate and house), LOP employees, staffers (yes, even the staffers ;p ), senators, MPs, protocol crew, visitors (et visiteurs) and far more wonderful people than I can mention here, thank you for creating the community that makes Parliament such a wonderful place to work.

To the IOs - thank you for being the best supervisors, mentors and friends that I could ask for.

And finally, to you crazy, crazy guides - you made me this way. It's all your fault.

...and I wouldn't give up the time I've spent with you for all the world.

Thank you for making me laugh, being weird, picking me up when I've been down and most importantly, for putting up with me. Vous allez me manquez. Je vous aime à la folie (literally, it would seem).

In this bitter-sweet moment, I sign off for now.

Love,
Mickie

8 days