A Good Day, Gone Bad...

Today was going to be a good day.

I was on my way to work and I was ahead of schedule.

I was across the street from the building, waiting for the light to turn green.

All was right with the world.

THEN, my phone rang.

It was a co-worker. She had something to tell me and she couldn't wait any longer for me to get there.

She had to tell me, right.now.

What followed was some news that could only be described as completely shocking and somewhat devastating.

"WHAT?!?!?" I screamed into the receiver. "NO WAY!!"

I checked the date on my watch. Nope, it's not April 1st, so why would someone be playing this cruel, cruel joke on me???


Okay, I'm at work now.

The first thing I do is turn the computer on and pull up my email.

There it was, the dreaded email that confirmed the phone call that I had gotten.....

Laura - my favorite work buddy - is retiring....effective immediately???

This can't be....I didn't even get to say goodbye. WHYYYYY????????

We've never met in person.

She lives in Chattanooga.

At first it was a business relationship but her self appointed "Assistant Operations Manager" brought us closer and a bond was formed.

Our working relationship grew stronger and a friendship developed.

We talked. We emailed. We IM'd. We joked. We laughed.

Meetings were never boring with her around and they won't be the same without her - who am I going to joke with during the meetings?? **sniff-sniff**

I loved her - in a non-lesliebean sort of way.

I was all excited because we were finally going to get to meet in person and within a matter of minutes my hopes were shattered.

My entire day was gloomy from that point forward.....I miss you already!!

I won't linger on the sadness of this day. Everything happens for a reason - of this I'm certain.

I have contacted her, via email, and she has assured me that she is fine. The reason for her sudden retirement is not because of poor health, nor is it the health of anyone in her family - This was my number one concern.

She has family in North Carolina and she is moving there to be closer to her children and her grandchildren - can't say I blame her for that, I don't know what I would do if I didn't live close to my mother; she's my best friend.

Hey! Maybe she can swing by and visit me on her way to NC...**wink-wink** (Sorry, inside joke)

I will definitely miss working with her, but I chose to look at the positive side of this situation.

Although I already feel like we have a friendship, it has always remained on a professional level. I look forward to our friendship developing further, as I get to know her on a more personal level.

And that "meeting in person" that I was so looking forward to???

It.will.happen.