Yesterday was the anniversary of the hire date for two co-workers and myself. Ten years at Apple. There were mentions and claps and all during the day. In late afternoon, while I was covering phones for a few minutes, a co-worker came to get me and to “warn” me – oh yeah I knew what was coming next. I stuck my head out the door and there was yelling and hooting and clapping. I held my finger up to my lips – “if you like me, you’ll do that really quietly” and suddenly the hall was full of golf-clapping and quiet grats. now that’s my kind of celebration! All that and a couple cakes and cookies and nice card. Very nice.
All of the work anniversary stuff is, of course, tied up with the coming anniversary of September 11. Although we were hired on September 4, the start of our work and training was September 14, 2001. It was, for me, difficult and jarring. I’ve been going through old blog posts to give them titles and read how after the first day of training I promised myself to stay at the job for a week.
I went to lunch yesterday and was reading the NYTimes and found waves of all this stuff coming at me. The past week was difficult with weather stuff and losing a young co-worker and the retirement of Steve Jobs. I want to say to folks at work and out there – be kind to yourself and know that all these waves and feelings are normal. All kinds of things can suddenly bring on a big wave of emotion but it gets better and more manageable.
So, ending the day with quiet applause and congratulations from my young co-workers was extra nice yesterday. I’ve worked for more years than most of them have been alive, and worked in one job longer than my stint at Apple. Still, nice for the recognition of some stick-to-it-ness.
(Please note that I managed to wear my work shirt inside out all afternoon without anyone telling me LOL!)
Now that was really nice. You both look pretty happy for being recognized for your good work.
For thinking about maybe lasting a week you did really well. Congratulations again.
The way it all started and the way this week has gone you deserve praise for surviving. Both difficult times.
Congrats! ten years is a milestone worthy of recognition and reflection.
Fall 2001 had big changes for me, too…moved across the state in August,with 13 yr old twins plus cat and dog, so the kids could start school. John and I totally busy with trying to integrate our lives. Then Sept 11 (that morning I found out what was happening when John’s ex-wife called to see if John knew where their son was (flying out of Boston (!) but later that morning on a flight that never happened.) Packed up Sept 14 and off to a weekend with the Pullman church family at N-SID-SEN. Totally surreal…a session with a professional photographer in our wedding finery, then 2 days with friends, out contact with any news, and a private legal wedding ceremony on the beach, in ordinary clothes (to avoid insurance coverage gap) and back into the maelstrom of news, a house full of boxes, and plans for our “party” wedding at Lady of the Lake dance camp at N-SID-SEN. Would family memebers fly in from the east coast? Yes. Some as “dance campers” some arriving just as camp ended for the wedding. Fine weather for our wedding in the outdoor dance pavilion, the last nice weekend before the fall rains…raining the next moring…fine by me. A crazy, amazing time. I also started a new job (in November) and never thought it would be one where I would stay, but still there coming up on 10 years. I doubt anyone will even be aware. As a substitute librarian I float around, so no one really “claims” me and I don’t have a “work group,” a desk, my own computer, any keys, not even a locker to call my own. On the other hand I get to remember all the computer passwords for about 8 libraries…delightful. Just back last night from Northwest Passage dance camp, with Ralph Sweet and Cis Hinkle. Life is good!