Today. Was. Horrible.
Horrible!
One hundred and twenty sales people, gone.
A department of eight people who sat by me, gone.
Two men who escaped the cuts in January and switched departments, gone.
An entire team of sales that worked with med schools, gone.
Four hundred people in all is what I heard. That includes people who will be let go tomorrow.
I was so panicked today, I thought I was going to be sick. I don’t think I did any work. It was a constant stream of e-mails, IMs and phone calls, everyone trying to find out what everyone else knew. I was e-mailing Laci, Lucy and Sodapop all day, and thank God they were there to calm me down. MM did his best too; he’s been through this so many times at other jobs that it’s old hat to him.
One good thing did come out of today. I was talking about the “good old days” with a colleague (i.e. when we got to travel, eat and drink on the company’s dime) and I remembered the concern that one colleague showed me when we were in Laguna Beach in January 2007 and again early this year. She lives in another state and so we don’t see each other often … her daily questioning — are you ok? you don’t seem like yourself? you’re so much quieter than usual! — was one of the reasons I got help for my depression last year. But I never thanked her.
Today, realizing that, fuck, life is short, people come in and out of your life, I sent her an e-mail, thanking her and explaining what she had done for me. She called me, in tears, and we had a little cryfest over the phone. She’s been there too, she knows what it’s like. And she told me that even though we don’t see each other often, I can use her as a lifeline … and that’s the word she used, lifeline. That made me tear up, especially since BD and I fought like cats and dogs when we worked together, until we had a (tearful, of course) meeting to work out our differences.
Even though it took me a year, I’m glad that I sent that e-mail. Yeah, I would have eventually gotten help, regardless. Depression is no stranger to me. But she’s a major reason why I picked up the phone to call my doctor.
Isn’t it funny how the unexpected blessings in your life often come from places you don’t expect?
If you are employed, be very very grateful tonight. Monday morning, don’t bitch about getting up and going into the office. Be very thankful that you have the opportunity to work, because there are a lot of good people who … well, they deserved better than what they got.
| 1.7 |
Monique on 04.10.2008 
I try so hard to remain grateful for the job I have. It pays my bills and gives me what I need. It’s difficult to remain grateful for me when I’m driving 160 miles per day to and from, but I do try. I strive everyday to thank God for my job.
Keep your chin up and I will be there tomorrow too, if you need it. I like that word “lifeline” that’s awesome!
Sodapop’s last blog post..You wanna eat now?
Comment by
Sodapop (Who am I?) - April 10, 2008 6:58 pm
unemployment being at its highest right now makes me feel a tiny bit better about it… but scared none the less!
Tori’s last blog post..option one?
Comment by
Tori (Who am I?) - April 10, 2008 7:59 pm
Thanks for the admonition at the end… It will make it a little easier to deal with the Bitch Squad on a daily basis.
Tense Teacher’s last blog post..Can’t Put It Off Any Longer
Comment by
Tense Teacher (Who am I?) - April 10, 2008 8:43 pm
I hate hearing that. No doubt they deserve better.
Comment by
b00ger (Who am I?) - April 10, 2008 8:59 pm
Big Hugs honey. I know it’s a scary time for you at work right now. I can imagine what morale is like at your workplace.
Unexpected blessings are wonderful. Hold on to them when they come!
Jen’s last blog post..Private Post Below!
Comment by
Jen (Who am I?) - April 10, 2008 9:48 pm
Heard about the layoffs early this morning Glad you are okay. Don’t think I had mentioned that I was affected last go-round we had with my company (your competitor). All in all, things have been good, it’s been a nice chance to step back and figure out what I want to do ‘when I grow up.’ Sometimes blessings are found in places you least expect. Hang in there, from what I gather, the ride isn’t over yet. The politicians got what they wanted and now don’t know what to do with what they got. Ain’t that always the way?? Much love from Texas!!
Comment by
Snarky Cool (Who am I?) - April 11, 2008 12:03 am
Being employed is a blessing.
I think it is awesome that you emailed the person that helped you get help… Sometimes an unexpected thank you is just what someone needs…..
themuttprincess’s last blog post..Finally FRIDAY!
Comment by
themuttprincess (Who am I?) - April 11, 2008 9:41 am
I had a complete stranger sit down and talk to me about my last relationship, which was abusive, and he really put things in perspective for me. I figured if a stranger could see something wrong about the situation I was in, then I should probably take another look at it. I never thanked him, but my DH and I see him around occasionally and always buy him a beer.
Sorry to hear about all the layoffs - that’s scary…I try to be grateful for my job, but its hard some days.
Ari’s last blog post..I Don’t Understand
Comment by
Ari (Who am I?) - April 11, 2008 10:09 am
Soda — You are such a trooper. I *know* good things are going to come your way!
Tori — I don’t blame you! I don’t know what I would do if I lost my job.
TT — I am going to try to adopt that attitude on Monday morning … it’s not always easy for me to be less self-centered.
B00ger — Yeah, it was rough. I think you would have been as upset as the rest of us at how it all went down.
Jen — Morale is pretty much in the crapper … which is definitely how you get fewer people to do more work, right? Le sigh.
SC — The industry totally sucks. It’s getting more and more difficult to believe in what we do, at least on the corporate side.
TMP — Thanks! I have to remember to express my appreciation more often … and in a more timely manner.
Ari — Wow. That must have been quite a life-changing moment for you. I’m glad everything worked out for the best!
Comment by
Monique (Who am I?) - April 11, 2008 6:48 pm