It feels as if I have passed a milestone.   Since I made the decision to retire, the 31st of January – my last working day in the Practice – has seemed like a distant horizon.  

Monday brought the realisation that I had this week and then next week, before I am off for Christmas – my first Christmas week off since I qualified in 1986!  Then, it’s just four weeks before I work my last day in the Practice.  Suddenly, that day feels tangibly close.

With Christmas approaching, cards and gifts are arriving from my patients, as is traditional for this time of year.  This year, many contain good wishes for my retirement and plans, and thanks for all the care I have given over the years.  

My first Senior Partner used to instruct the Receptionists: “If anyone asks what I drink, tell them gin – Gordon’s Gin!”  Alcohol is still the commonest gift, with whisky a frequent choice, for which I have thereby developed a taste. However, Mrs W’s traditional gift is a Christmas cake, well “fed” with rum, that’s always delicious.  

Not surprisingly, the full-time Partners usually do best from this spirit of giving – or giving of spirit!  Several years ago, miffed by this, one of the part-time Partners suggested that we pool all the gifts and then divide them out “fairly.” The then Senior Partner, John’s reply was swift and firm: “Well, that’s not going to happen.”    Funny how we measure our value and worth.

Wanting to be well-liked is, I think, a strong part of a GP’s psyche.  I will miss that show of affection and gratitude … much more than I will miss not having to buy my own whisky!