Monday, June 13, 2005

HARD TO SAY GOOD BYE

The past weeks have been some of the toughest in my life. To leave the work place I had been a member of for over seven years was harder than I imagined. Unlike leaving family, I know I have to keep in touch. It is up to me. As I gathered everyone's emails and home addresses I realized not one of them asked for my new address. Like every other place I have left I realize it is up to me to keep it going. If I let go, its gone.

Sad but true.

During a very gloomy week, I had one ray of sunshine. I sashayed into the office on Thursday morning and my boss called to me from his office. "Guess who was in here yesterday?" Immediately I thought of the enraged Arab who threatened to kill me several years ago. Before I could come up with an incriminating answer he filled in the blank for me, "Brian!"

I couldn't have smiled wider. Then I became indignant, "What!! Why didn't he call me?"

Brian had left the clan in 2001. We kept in touch for several months but like a ding bat, I misplaced his cell phone number! Brian was on to bigger and better things in beautiful paradise-like areas only to be seen on very rare occasions. After that...nothing.

Brian is only several years older than my daughter and like a son to me. He was also my partner in crime for a long time until they (powers that be) decided to separate us.

For him to just drop in to the plant several days before I leave for good was a gift from God.

I called him on his cell and he was still in town and just getting ready to leave.

"Why didn't you call me last night!"

"Oh Mary, you know how I am when I start drinking beer!"

He had to go meet another friend at a donut shop and then he would call me.

He did. "I'm at that place." he said.

"Meadowthorpe Cafe?"

"Mary, that's scary"

"Being able to read your mind was always easy." I replied.

I love this kid and it was just wonderful to see him four years older and oh so much more mature. He has, as always, 100 things going on at once. Best of all, he has found a profession he loves and is very very good at.

It is so good to see "your children" find their path in life.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was just thinking the other day how I wish I would have stayed in touch with several coworkers I lost touch with. It is sad. Nelle

Anonymous said...

YAY! you're back!...moving is tough....and it really is up to us, the ones that leave, to keep in touch. So glad Brian dropped in on you and you got to see how far he's come since leaving...one day you will bless someone with a suprise visit yourself....XOXO  E

Anonymous said...

Aw, that's great!   I hope you are doing ok.....   Pamela

Anonymous said...

Glad to see you're back! You've been missed.

Dan

http://journals.aol.com/slapinions/Slap-Inionscom

Anonymous said...

I know you have been busy did not want too burden you. So glad you got to see an old aqaintance.

Anonymous said...

I know what you're saying about walking away from a place where you left such a huge chunk of your life. It'll take a while before you separate yourself from that environment mentally. It's a heck of an effort to keep in touch afterwards, especially when you're moving out of town. Good luck to you in keeping those ties. Remember though, you'll be making new ones, too.
Jude
http://journal.aol.com/JMoranCoyle/MyWay

Anonymous said...

Aww how cool! I had a kid like that. I took him under my wing. He ended up getting promoted before I did. But I was just proud as heck, because I'd taught him everything he knew. LOL

Anonymous said...

Aww how cool! I had a kid like that. I took him under my wing. He ended up getting promoted before I did. But I was just proud as heck, because I'd taught him everything he knew. LOL

Anonymous said...

Long time no entry!  Great to hear you got to talk with him before you left...that is very cool!  JAE

Anonymous said...

I knew that you blogging "silence" had everything to do with your move and all your other life changes.  How nice to be able to see Brian before you go.  Definitely a gift from the One in Charge...  Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

Nice surprise!

xoxo

Anonymous said...

That's grest that you were able to see him again!

Anonymous said...

Aww...how great!  I'm so glad you got
to see him after all this time!
Love,
Connie

Anonymous said...

It's also good to know you aren't forgotten and after so many years relationships can pick up right where you left them.

Maybe people didn't ask for your address because they knew you had theirs. They can reciprocate once they hear from you. (hint-hint) ;-)

Glad to hear from you here. I hope all is well! :-) ---Robbie

Anonymous said...

I am thinking of you....... when I left Florida and my old life, I left so suddenly that there was no time for good-byes. Could that be a good thing? When I have gone down to visit I am glad to see the people that I knew, but the 'context' has changed so much that it is odd. They have trouble relating the old, stable, reliable person to this new person whose life has changed so completely.
You hang in there and know that you are loved and that new adventures await. lots of hugs during this transition. judi

Anonymous said...

Turns out I miss my little hippie chick when she's not around. It's OK, Joe, I'm harmless.

(most of the time)