I’d finished my doctorate. It was official, I was now Dr Wilson. Had a nice ring to it I thought. It’d taken me 15 years and a lot of money I never really thought I’d be able to afford to finish it. I stood there at the graduating ceremony, and wondered what my life would be like once I walked off this stage. - 30 years later - “We need to leave now and put this on our emergency file” Camille told me as I sat behind my desk, typing up letters ready to send out for appointments that following month. My system kept things in order and saved time. “Camille, I don’t have time for frivolous events, and as for the emergency file, I already dealt with it” I called back. The emergency file had been a person who’d needed medical intervention as a means of harm prevention. This would be my final case. I’d been setting up a new system for my successors to be able to pick up where I was leaving. Retirement, something I’d never really felt would happen. I sat there in my office and looked around, the familiarity of spending 5 or more days a week here making sure everyone had the best care possible. I thought about my graduation all those years ago, how back then I could’ve never imagined having my own medical practice. We dealt with mental health, support and social care services. We believed in building a better system with no restrictions on access, and that’s why choosing a successor had been so imperative. I couldn’t let this fail now. I took in a deep breath and logged off my computer for one final time. I closed the files and stored them away. “Okay Camille, we can leave now” I informed my assistant and headed out the door, taking in one last glimpse before I locked it for the final time. My emotions began to build up and I felt overwhelmed and a little sad. The thought that this would no longer be my place, that I wouldn’t see Camille’s radiant smile every morning when I came in. Camille had been my assistant for the last 10 years, they were fantastic and I couldn’t have asked for a better employee. They’d been fresh out of high school and had no experience but I gave them a chance. That’s what Wilson’s Medical and Support Centre was for. Giving people their best chances, without prejudice, bias or harm. Because we all deserve access to basic care and support. I pulled my thoughts back to the moment in hand, and followed Camille through the door and into the main reception, which was big, light and airy. It had a welcoming hug about the atmosphere and the large bay windows drank in the sunlight from outside. The place felt radiant and warm, almost like a homely feeling. You know the feeling you get when you step into your home and instantly feel the worlds problems melt from your shoulders, even if just for a moment? That was how I felt in this place and time. I looked around and saw hundreds of faces, some were staff, patients and just community supporters. Looking around it felt similar to how I had all those years ago when I’d graduated, when something like this was just a dream. A dream I had worked hard into a reality. Memories of this place and the friends and supporters who stood before me, drifted into my mind and brought a smile to my face. This chapter of my life had been fantastic. I stood there and cleared my throat slightly. “Thankyou, to each and everyone of you who has helped make this small dream of mine become the greatest achievement of my life. None of this would be possible without the hard work and support from every single person in this room.” I started my leaving speech. I had been practicing this in the mirror for months. “I know this seems like an uncertain time, and that the future of the centre might feel unreal, but I know, that I am leaving this place in the hands of some amazing people. We all contributed so much, and that is why, I am going to make some final changes in my departure.” I continued, and paused before announcing this final part. They were all looking, waiting patiently but almost nervously at what I was about to announce. “Dr Williams, will be taking over the centre. We have been preparing for this for the last few years and they have a similar goal and outlook as myself. I know this may be a surprise to a lot of you, but I feel this was the best step forward. Congratulations Dr Aimee Williams, you will do great things, and I look forward to seeing those. Another announcement is that my assistant Camille Woodford, you will be head of operations here, and take care of all non-medical operations. The past 10 years you have been an amazing assistant and your care and dedication has been stellar. I hope that you and Dr Williams are able to get this centre to places I could only dream of achieving.” I continued. “Funding has been secured for $27billion. This will insure the security of the centre, for the next 10 years. Thankyou to you all for this opportunity and support. We couldn’t have achieved it without this community.” I smiled and let out a gentle sigh. This has always been the goal and I was excited for the next chapter in my life. The room exploded with applause and I felt the warmth in my cheeks turn them a slight red. I was ecstatic that it had been a positive response. Change can be a scary thought, and we never truly know what will come from it. I silently slipped out the side door and headed into the unknown. This was a whole new chapter of my life.