I broke the news today oh boy....

In case you younger readers don't know, the title above is based on an old Beatles song, and not an attempt to be melodramatic!!
Yeah, I had to tell my loyal staff that I'm leaving. It took sometime because they were convinced that I was joking - one kept going..."OOOoooohhh, ooohhhh" looking at me with a grin waiting for me to say "just kidding". I felt awful, but then quietly went through a few of the points that contributed to my decision, and they understood and agreed with most of them. A motley crew to be sure, but most of them have been gems, and I would have been truly stuffed without them, especially the tiny little skinny older lady (see the pic) who I have always known as Cookie. For obvious reasons. Not the greatest cook in the world, and the aroma of her steak and kidney simmering on the stove could bring tears to the eyes and bile to the throat of even the strongest of us - but Cookie is the creme de la creme of staunchness as far as workers go. Gets to work half an hour early and leaves up to 3 hours late every day. Knocks on my office door at 11.30 every friday with a huge bowl of fresh hot chips - and she does the BEST chips in the world bar none. Smokes like a train and truly believes that her partner doesn't know she smokes - when I feel a burning durry being thrust into my hand I know that Brian has just pulled up outside.
Kathy, the older aboriginal lady. Kathy ...... what can I say about Kathy? Extremely lazy, been working here about 8 years and still asks me what the day's plan is. Can do a lot more than she does, but fakes stupidity all day every day in order to avoid work. Well I THINK she fakes it.
Chrissy, dumpy, short red hair. GREAT fun, a real character, reasonably reliable, but steals everything that doesn't have bolts and chains attached. Borrows money from all other staff members, some of my oldies, and even the HACC clients. Used to have a dope problem and at one point would sell anything she owned for $50 (the price of a "bag"). Now, at 52 has found love again and has given up the dope and settled down somewhat.
Shirley - younger aboriginal lady squatting down is fabulous. VERY reliable, VERY honest and a great worker. She rents a house from me, and I couldn't have a better tenant or worker.
The young girl is Melinda, sweet, rather dizzy, and has since that picture was taken last year presented her (now) husband with a little son. Saddest day of my life was her wedding. She could have gone on to bigger things but chose to bog her life down with an unemployed (unemployable) loser who used her and her earnings to support his dope habit. Thought her Mum might point some of the home truths out to Mel, but have recently been told that Mum is now shacked up with the boy's father, which might eventually make Mel and her hubby step brother and sister... eeeoowwww
Wonder who'll be the breadwinner now that there's a new baby??
The last lady in the pic with the pinkish/red singlet under her shirt is Sharon, my boss. Not a lot to add - typical boss, scary, not overly supportive, but a pretty good person. She seems OK about me going, but I have only heard that 2nd hand, I will speak to her on Monday when she comes for a visit - just hope she's only staying one day!!
OK, so the news is out and I am staying INSIDE to avoid contact because I feel really bad about deserting them. Bluddy ridiculous really, they are probably quite excited at the prospect of having someone new at the helm, I know I would be.