Picketts in Poland: Saying "Good-bye" is Never Easy

Saying "good bye" is never easy...it sounds so permanent. My heart says "ouch" when a person I have come to enjoy, admire and appreciate is leaving and moving away.

Such was the case this weekend in Warsaw with a special Scottish friend...Claire.
Below are Claire and me on her last day at the Marathon office in Warsaw.

Claire is an accountant for Marathon. She is from Keith, Scotland and has worked for Marathon in its Aberdeen, Scotland office.

When Mark first arrived in Warsaw last February, he was in need of more help and the Aberdeen office loaned Claire to the Poland office. Originally she was to be here for 3 months...but that 3 months turned into 11 months. Lucky for Mark and Marathon in Warsaw!

This past Friday it was time for Warsaw to say "good bye" to Claire as her assignment in Warsaw ended, and she was returning to work in Aberdeen. Mark presented Claire a Warsaw remembrance gift and said some very kind words about her work, dedication and contributions to Marathon in Poland. Mark did a good job honoring her in front of the other co-workers.

He also had fun giving Claire reminders of Poland in red and white - the Polish national colors. He gave her a red and white lei, face paint for football (soccer) games, a Polish scarf, and two hats.

Claire has been a great assest to Marathon's Warsaw office and has done an excellent job getting the accounting work established here. I know she has made Mark's life at Marathon easier during this first kick off year.

Personally I have come to know Claire as she has joined Mark and me on some of our family excursions....to the zoo...to movies...out to lunch and dinner. She has joined me on a few Warsaw Walks...and she has been a delight to get to know! I will miss Claire.

Thanks for the memories....and being a part of our lives!

June 2011....at a Water Fountain show at night.