Endings

It was announced earlier this month that my company will be closing its doors on June 30.  As the one who has keeps financials on the firm, it didn't come as a surprise.  But guess what? Even expected events have the power to shock.

It's a small firm (19 of us at our peak) with very little employee turnover.  I was one of the first employees, hired 11 1/2 years ago.  So, yes, we all know each other... probably too well.  These people stopped feeling like coworkers and began to feel more like family by about 2004.  I know their quirks, they know mine.  I trust these people.

I've come to terms with the loss in net worth from my company stock and the loss of cash flow as it may take some time to find a new job.  Those thoughts aren't fun, but they aren't devastating. The part I haven't begun to deal with is not seeing these people every day.  At my new place of employment, will anyone really care about the mice that Brian found in his apartment or that my brother in law has a new girlfriend?  What will I do when I don't know if Alex's son slept through the night or without my almost daily update on how Ashley's husband is doing with his Masters program?   And what about Allison's dating scene?  How will I go one not knowing how last night's date went and how will she make it through without my ever so wise counsel?

Now, this isn't my first gig.  I've worked at other firms and I've been fortunate to have made some life-long friends at other companies (EF Hutton in the 80's and US Bancorp in the 90's).   I'm smart enough to know that new doors will be opening and I'll work with wonderful people again.  I'll have the opportunity to gain new skills and new friends.  But they won't be these friends.  These people whose lives have intertwined with mine for over a decade. 

It will take months to begin to build relationships and then years to develop that psychic shorthand which comes only from working side by side day, covering for each other, relying on one another and laughing away troubles and concerns.  Eleven years of running jokes are not easily replaced.

Yes, come July I'll be looking ahead with some anticipation and excitement of new adventures and challenges.  But for now, I'm savoring every day with this disfunctional family I've come to trust and love.

Reaching Out

Jolene and Brian's "engagement portrait", 2006

This last weekend we attended an evening celebrating the life of my niece, Jolene Armstrong.  It was a beautiful dinner and auction raising money to fight Cystic Fibrosis.  The evening  was wonderful from every stand point:  we saw lots of friends and family, we had a wonderful meal in a beautiful setting, we laughed and cried as we remembered Jolene's strength and audacity, we had a blast bidding on awesome items and events (and yes, we did win the bowling party for 16!!!)... and of course, a lot of money was raised to fight the disease that took Jolene's life.

And it all was made possible because one person decided to do something and then followed through... 100%.  This is the second evening like this that our friend, Erin Christensen arranged. It's true, that Erin had a lot of help from so many.  But without her hard work and vision nothing would have happened.  It was Erin who found people to volunteer time, food, flowers, talents and so much more.  It was Erin who somehow managed to create an incredible evening where absolutely every dollar donated went to fight the disease.   Not a penny went to the food, the facility, the entertainment or the venue.  I don't know how she did it.  But Erin made it happen.

Erin Christensen did not lose a sister or a daughter or a niece to CF.  But seeing her friend go through a terrible loss, she decided she would do something... and then, she did.  She didn't hold back, she didn't let a very full life with toddler twin boys or the many demands she has on her time stop her.  She didn't let an bad economy or a hundred other worries she must have had hold her back.  And I am grateful for her focus, her good nature, her kindness and her tenacity.  

People like Erin make me want to do more.  To work hard for a good cause without counting the cost.  To reach out with energy and joy.  To make a difference.   

Erin did much more than raise money to battle a disease.  This in itself would have been incredibly noble.  But in addition, she lifted hearts, strengthened hope and brought people together.  Erin reminded each of us that we too can make a difference.