Yesterday evening I picked up Jr. from school. Something I have not done in years. She knew that I was going to come home early (without knowing details) and she begged me to pick her up from school. As soon as she gets in the van she goes :
"Daddy, have you been talking to my friends parents about your job or something? One of my friends told me today that her mom said you were fired from your job. Is that true?"
It has been a difficult week and all my friends and extended family know it. We did not talk about what happened at work in the house because it is a difficult topic to deal with in front of older parents who have health concerns and young kids who are very sensitive. San and me have talked about work out of house for the most part.
This was to be expected sooner or later though. Tough questions from parents and kids. The parents have backed off because they know that my philosophy is to move on and focus on "what next?" and they also know that I have options to decide on within a few days. They had concern written large on their faces and asked a hundred questions an hour because they are from a different place and time.
The kids though are a different story. So gave her an instant crash course (with the little one listening in) on the difference between
- getting fired
- being part of a Reduction In Force and
- the entire workplace shutting down
Told her that what happened to daddy was that the entire place closed. She seemed to get it and was also happy to know that daddy will be working in a new office soon.
Then the questions diverted to
"Will you have a whiteboard in your office with color markers like you do now?"
"Where will you work?"
"Do you still have to go to Austin?" etc. etc.
Anyday, more fun questions to answer. The trick to handling such questions is to be prepared for them and show that you are okay with those questions. Fortunately for me, parents had prepped me to smile and answer these questions a good two days before Jr. came in with hers.
This weekend is being spent with family with little things to do in and around the house. Have not done Yoga since last Sunday and I am seriously thinking of doing back to back classes and see if I can survive 3 hours in the hot room in one go! Know that some folks do it.
Have done a lot of talking over the last 7 days to the point where even when I have my mouth closed, can hear my brain literally race away with thoughts in different directions.
I also cried on at least 5 occasions in the last two days saying goodbye to folks who worked with me for a long long time. San says "you are the only man I know who sheds tears".. Maybe I am not man enough.. maybe this has nothing to do with manliness. Did not bother to explain to her.
Just going with the flow.. and that means tears as well.
Now that goodbyes have been said and we all have ensured that we have ways to keep in touch, the focus is on the future.
The last two days reminded me of the last two days of high school, the last two days before graduation where you know that all your friends are going to scatter far and wide and you have high hopes of all of them doing well wheverever they go!
The next set of questions start now.. "Will we still have a birthday party this year?"
My darlings, I know you read this blog when you come back from school and guess what?
"You absolutely will!"