A strange coincidence happened to me today. When I was leaving work, the battery in my Jeep was dead, so I asked a lady nearby if she could help me. She was very friendly and helpful, and spent about 15 minutes with me to get my battery charged up enough to start. I noticed that it looked as though she had been crying. While waiting for my battery to charge, she told me she had just been let go from her job, without any explanation other than “Restructuring”. As it turns out she worked for the same company as me.
This created a very contrasting image. I was in a great mood all day because I’m leaving for Puerto Rico on Saturday morning for the trip that was given to me by my company. She was upset because she had been fired from the very same company. I was in a hurry to get where I needed to go because I had my trip to prepare for and I also needed to work the next day. She was in no hurry to go anywhere because she didn’t have to go to work in the morning anymore.
Maybe this is an opportunity for her to do something new and exciting; maybe she’s the free one now, and maybe I’m the one that will continue in the so called rat race while always being busy and never having any time to do my own things. Despite the tears, she was very optimistic about it and agreed with me when I suggested that this could be an opportunity for her to do something new.
… In other news, last night I was at a bar and Johnny Fay also happened to be at the same bar. (He’s the drummer for The Tragically Hip) We had the opportunity to say Hey and shake his hand, but he was a little bit preoccupied with his lady friend 😉
From:Barry, What you said to her was very comforting.There is nothing else you could have said that would make her feel better about herself.Losing your job is scary,as you don’t know if you will find another job,and also it is bad for your ego,as everybody believes they are needed or doing a good job for their employer.
From:barry, further comments. Through the years I have experienced very emotional situations regarding lost jobs.During a downsizing at one plant,I had the pleasure (not) of telling men whom I respected very much,that they no longer had a job.One guy had hired me and through the years I became his boss.It was awful watching a grown man cry,but yet he became very successful after he left our company.The first emotion is always the end of the world,but using this person as an example,he became something he never would have if he hadn’t been fired.I keep hearing that God has a plan for all of us,and I truely believe that as it has worked out for many people including myself.
Hey just came by to see your blog it’s me (14u2nv) from tblog. 🙂