I got the word today that one of my co-workers is moving on to greener pastures. Sad news for me, since over the past four years or so, she and I have become good work buddies. We’ve been through fires that have galvanized our friendship. She has a cool clear head, which balances nicely with my reactive quick temper. We’ve learned to work together quite well.
She was a part of the panel interview that I passed through to secure my current job. She is an Indian-American, and most everyone mispronounces her name. I did myself initially. In my thank-you note following my initial interview, I even misspelled her name.
But once I was on board in my new position, I listened carefully to her introduce herself to others and got the sound down. One time, she told someone else in my presence, “You know … the Queer is the only one who pronounces my name correctly.” Well, I just know that names are important. Especially if you have a unique name.
But as usual, I digress.
In the jobs that I’ve held in my adult life (which I consider my time in Houston ), I have held on to at least one person from each of my five employers. From my first job that I held about 16 years ago, a friend stopped by my house and had coffee a couple of months ago. I hadn’t seen him in five or six years, but it was just like we had picked up a conversation from years back.
I even got my best friend from a job. I was employed with her at the same company for only eight months, but I grabbed her and didn’t let go.
Sometimes the bonds are loose. Sometimes the bonds are fast.
I’m not sure what will happen with my friend who gave her notice today. However, I know that she gave her notice to the company, not on our friendship.
When I find someone who is special, I’m good with “hello,” and I’m bad with “good-bye.”
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