As with so many managers before her, Shelley left the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for greener pastures. In her case, the greener pastures consists of a tele-commuter position with Northwestern Human Services here in Harrisburg. My organization is a state government organization that deals primarily with copies and managed care organizations. Shelley sees this move as a way to get mental health providers to make the system more recovery oriented at the grassroots level. Changing a system from “this is what you get” to “this is what I want to make me feel better” will be a challenge. I know that Shelley is up this challenge.
It was a sad parting. When I walked into her soon to be vacated room she said “I need a hug.” The hug turned into a mutual squeeze after which I noticed tears in her eyes. She told me how much she appreciated those times I’d look in her door and say “hi.” In turn, I told her how much it meant to me that she involved me in updating the Department of Public Welfare Internet site. I went on to say that she brought me out of my own little world and expanded my horizons. Thus ended a very good working relationship which lasted a year. Alas, my life appears to be a series of goodbyes. This goodbye was the latest.
