View From The Glen

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Last Days

The days are winding down now at my corporate office job. Thursday is my last day, and I am sitting at my desk, just for a moment, allowing myself the inevitable moment of sadness.

Am I excited about the direction I am going. Absolutely. Am I happy to be finished juggling too many things? You bet. Am I looking forward to focusing on two things I absolutely love to do? Yes, yes, yes.

But this company has been good to me in the past few years. Any company can be friendly, any company can have a good salary and benefits package. But it takes a special company to go above and beyond. To understand that employees are not robots, and to allow us to sometimes put the needs of our family first. I have three kids and not once has anyone said anything about me taking them to a doctor or dentist appointment, or rolled their eyes because I didn't show up on a snow day when buses were cancelled, or batted an eyelid if I brought a not-quite-sick-enough -for-bed kid into the office for a morning and then took the afternoon off to work from home.

When you are a mom, these things are important. I loved that I had the flexibility to start work 30 minutes late when the morning bus schedule changed last year. Or to work through lunch and leave early to get to a 6pm concert or karate belting ceremony. And for this, I will always be appreciative.

Having said that, just because the company was supportive, doesn't mean I didn't feel guilty about all those times I missed a meeting or a deadline because of a flu bug or snowstorm. It's one of the reasons I am looking forward to working at home - the relief of not having to find a sitter on PD days and in the summer, the feeling that I will be more fully able to participate in my children's daily life, instead of just being the homework enforcer and dinner maker.

I'm not really sad at the change. But leaving is never easy and as I look around my office, I find it hard to believe I won't be coming in here every day.

Even as I look forward to working in my new home office.

6 comments:

Capital Mom said...

It's so exciting! Good luck on this new adventure!

Laura said...

I admire your courage to take this big step and look forward to reading about the new and exciting opportunities that lie ahead. Good luck and congratulations Denise. :)

Finola said...

I think what you're doing is amazing and important. Congratulations, and I can't wait to read all about it.

Anonymous said...

I'm excited for you, but can fully understand the tug and pull. You go girl! Big things on the horizon, happy things.

Leanne Haines said...

I'm so excited for you! What a wonderful new chapter you are beginning! But I completely understand your wistfulness at leaving what has been such a big part of your life. Let yourself be a little sad, remembering that there are only good things ahead!

kwrites said...

Have a great last day tomorrow. (And then let us plan lunch very soon afterward!)