Thursday, September 25, 2008

Who knows but what?

Well, I am spending my days running from my thoughts. I don't blog because I might have to think and I don't want to do that. Obviously I need intensive mental health attention. This escape plan of mine doesn't work so I'm not sure why I keep trying it.

As most everyone knows by now EDS was acquired by HP. I'm still just so stunned. We had 140,000 employees -- we were a giant with a decades long reputation. We did the acquiring. Now everything is upside down and everyone is worried about their jobs. Work is definitely stressful. More and more of the people in my department are gone. The ones that are still there are tense. My two best friends got me the job to begin with eight years ago. They are both gone now. Legal is a vulnerable department but fortunately (I hope) I work in the section of legal that is safest. We support new business and our services business is what HP wanted. I suspect most of the attorneys in my group are safe. Likewise, I hope, all the paralegals. Administrative staff is a big question mark. They align their departments differently and even if I get to keep my job I will no longer be reporting to my manager. All secretaries and executive assistants alike report to the Office Manager. Right now the legal secretaries report to the office manager but the Executive Assistants report to the manager they support. I love my boss and she's great to work for. Now who knows? I hate change. Oh, let's go ahead and admit it - change TERRIFIES me. Ridiculous, since change is the only constsnt in life.

Here's what I know. God is constant. He is faithful. He got me this job to begin with and when my purpose is served I will not be here anymore. He knows I have to work so I will have a job elsewhere. My challenge is to rest in trusting faith. Oh, and to do my very best job in the meantime.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

September 11, 2008

Dear Dr. Rogers,

Enclosed are my latest results from my recent mammogram and bone density scan. I thought they should be included with my records that you are soon kicking to the curb.

In Bible times when the Israelites were confronted with something that brought them much sorrow the Bible says they tore their clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes. This was a reminder to them as well as to all who saw them they were grieving something (whether it be their own just desserts or a loss). Remembering this has made it much easier to decide what to wear to work since receiving your letter. Indeed, there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth at the news I read.

This simply cannot be! I will not take it lying down. Oh wait. Yes I will. Lying down on a table decorated with lovely ice cold stirrups. In a stranger’s office with someone most certainly not from Lubbock, TX. Words simply do not do justice to the depth of my angst! Surely I feel deserted and bereft.

I am considering volunteering to be an object lesson next summer. I’ll just have my yearly exam in your class room. Certainly after the years of infertility tests and procedures there is no dignity left to lose so one more observer might not be too high a price to pay. I confess that I am praying that you soon discover that a classroom full of eager young minds cannot compare to an office filled with befuddled, hot-flashing, emotional menopausal women and you will repent of your errant ways and come back to us. Fortunately I just saw you, so you have a full 11 months to come to your senses. Just keep my name in your contact list – I’ll be right there.

Seriously, (actually the preceding was only about half not-serious) I cannot let you ride off into the sunset without thanking you for being the caring, thorough, reassuring doctor you have been the last 15 years. You were with us when we lost the miracle baby that wasn’t supposed to have ever even been; you were there when I had to come to terms with the realization that part of my life was over and I would be having a hysterectomy at 40 years old. You helped me not only survive that surgery but thrive and see it as a very good thing – feeling good for the first time in 15 years. You were graciously there when I had to endure the gut-wrenching angst of standing beside my son who was acting as though he hadn’t a brain in his head. So although I am thoroughly selfish and making this all about me, I wish you the very best. Our loss is certainly the next generation of doctor’s gain. If you can instill in them one-half the caring, gentle, sincere bedside manner you possess then my daughter will be in good hands.

God bless you!
Thankfully but sadly,