Speechless

Yesterday I was going to post a rant about my discontentment with my job. I got about half way through and deleted it. Who wants to read about how miserable someone is at work, right? At least I have money in the bank and medical insurance. I have friends who were laid off last April and they’re still looking for employment. I feel guilty at times that I don’t appreciate my job more than I do.

I came in this morning with a desire to start the day a little differently – with a more upbeat attitude. It’s Friday, I tell myself. I smile at those I pass and duck into my office as quickly as I can. The first thing I do on my computer is turn on some fun music…and then I open my email. Oh, the emails. My least favorite part of the job, besides the meetings we have to decide what meetings we need to schedule for the upcoming BIG meeting. Did you follow that?

Then a lady I’ve worked with here for the last 4 years steps into my office. Our jobs intersect only every couple of months, so this is a very rare visit.

“How are you doing?” she asks me.

“I’m good.”

“Listen,” she says lowering her voice. “I just want you to know that I really admire you. I know you’re having a hard time with your pregnancy and with your boss and you’re still doing such a great job. I just think you’re awesome. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that. Have a great day! It’s Friday!”

And she walked out.

I was stunned, but so appreciated her comments. She knows where I’m coming from. Her teenage son was diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago and she had to juggle a demanding job with his treatments and doctor visits.

I don’t agree that I’m so awesome or even doing as great of a job as I used to. I find myself missing little details that I would have caught a year ago. That’s what happens when the passion begins to leak out.

It’s amazing what a 2-minute interaction with someone can do with your outlook for the rest of the day.

After she left I turned around and saw this drawing Savannah hung on my wall.