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Friday, January 18, 2013

"Myth"

It’s been quite a week for me.  I went to work on Monday, just like I go to work every Monday.  My boss came in and we talked about our weekends, same as every other Monday.  She went to another room, and I continued my usual Monday morning tasks.  How was I to know that all that normal Monday stuff was going to suddenly end?

The short version of events is that Cyndy had a medical emergency and died.  My coworkers and I watched helplessly, and even though the paramedics came quickly, it doesn’t seem like there’s much anyone can do in moments like that.  I called her sister, who is my long-time friend, and delivered the news.  This was all the worse because my friend just lost another sister a couple of years ago.

When someone dies you think about your own loss, or in this case, I’d try to comfort my friend.  It’s a personal grief.  When the boss dies, so many other things have to happen, and even more particularly in this case, I had to become the boss.  It was clear from the beginning that there were practical things I had to do.  There wasn’t any time for me to have a meltdown with everyone else, and I was feeling too shell-shocked in that moment to contemplate my own feelings anyway.

Cyndy was the type of person who knew everybody.  She was a devoted “Nana” and had a huge family.  She had professional relationships that spanned decades.  She knew all her neighbors and kept friends for a lifetime.  She’d be thrilled to know there was a long line for her at the funeral home.

I’ve had my moments this week thinking my irreverent thoughts about her hoarding/composting methods of handling paperwork, but I doubt that’s going to be including in her eulogy.  I’ve also thought about the times I butted heads with her and went home irritated, but in a way that just makes her feel more human, more vulnerable, more of a loss.  I found her both very likeable and maddening, but in the end, I owe her a debt for her teaching me the finer parts of her job.

On a practical blogging note, these sudden changes are undoubtedly going to impact my posts.  I’m going to try to keep posting on a regular basis, but work has to come first.  My Friday posts may become Saturdays or Sundays, or I might curl up in the fetal position and sleep away my weekends.  I enjoy blogging though.  It’s an outlet for me, and I really enjoy talking with my blogging buddies.  I’m going to do my best to keep participating.

My deepest sympathies to the Troha/Strazar/Marino family.  Cyndy’s obit is here.

What’s all this got to do with “myth”?  I suppose the biggest myth is that we can count on the boss being here tomorrow, or our sister, or even ourselves.  Sudden deaths remind us to make our lives count while we’re still here.

19 comments:

  1. Sometimes working your way through a situation is the perfect thing to do. My condolences and I'm sure you'll do a bang-up job. Remember to take some time for yourself!

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  2. Thanks Rand! Maybe I'll get some me time after the funeral Saturday. I've got to say I'm really lucky that the other people in the office have done wonders in helping me out this week. I'm really grateful.

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  3. I am so sorry to read about your sudden loss, and the resulting drastic change in work responsibilities. Like Rand I hope that work might be a means to cope with the situation.

    Still I am looking forward to your inspiring entries, no matter which day you might be able to post them, or if they only come occasionally as long it is fun for you to do them and not some added pressure.

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  4. Thanks Heike! That's exactly the attitude I'm going to try to remember to keep. Blog time is fun time for me, and I want to keep it that way. I so appreciate my blog buddies!

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  5. So sorry, Linda. What a shock. Whenever you get new blog posts, I'm sure everyone, like me, will love to read them.

    Hang in there. I'm certain you're up to the new challenges, although one would rather not gain them in the way you did. Sending many thoughts.

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  6. I'm so sorry for your loss, Linda. Take it a day at a time or hour by hour. If you take good care of your self the rest will follow. I hope that blogging helps to work it out some; we're all here....

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  7. Oh, Linda! So sorry. I can't imagine how traumatic that must have been for all of you. And I'm sure you'll handle the changes with aplomb.

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  8. So sorry for your loss. What a sad shock.

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  9. How tragic Linda and how sad that you all had to witness such a traumatic event but as you know me well I believe these things just make your stronger as a human being. We never know what is around the corner so seize the day always. My sympathies to her family, such a sudden loss really is such a shock. Keep posting, I really enjoy our blogging but it should never be a chore, just blog when and if you feel you want to. I always enjoy reading your posts and as you say blogging is such a great distraction from our working lives. Take care,
    Jane x

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  10. Thanks so much everybody! I've made it through the funeral, so now I'm going to put my energies into mastering my new job. I'm glad everyone is understanding about my posts, but like I said, I'll try to keep up with them because I enjoy doing them. You all make them fun for me. Thanks!!!

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  11. My goodness, how horrible. I'm so sorry this happened! But it sounds like you're doing all the practical things needed. I hope you're taking time for your mental health too, between all your new responsibilities. Certainly posting a couple days late won't hurt anything!

    It's a beautiful painting of daisies. I hope your art will help you work through things, too.

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  12. Thanks Cindy! No, there will be no mental health. It's something I plan to fantasize about in the future :)

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  13. Beautiful image for such a sad event. Events like that propel people to take stock of their lives though, and it helps one regain focus on what is important. I always look forward to your posts, so please keep participating...

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  14. That is so shocking. A reminder to all of us of life's unpredictability. Good luck with your transition. And healing.

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  15. It's been an interesting week, to say the least. I'm starting to get oriented in my new responsibilities though, so things are looking up. Thanks for the comments!

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  16. I've been so much more aware of my own mortality lately. perhaps turning 60 this year has prompted that, but also things like this. Your boss is here one moment, gone the next.

    beautiful bouquet above. Sorry for your loss and, yes, the shock of it all. I know it was unsettling.♥

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  17. You never know what you're going to find in a blog post. This would have been way down on the list of possibilities - a death; though I've been blog friends with 2 people who passed away and found out once by a comment on the blog, and another time because the woman's son was able to sign on and post. It was heartbreaking; I was stunned - both times.

    So, I know this was as absolute shocker to you. My condolences to you to all who knew and loved her.

    Hang in there with the added responsibilities and the period of time that it will take for everyone to settle down and get into a new rhythm.

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  18. These sad events do get us thinking, don't they? Try not to work too hard...we need you here in the blogosphere!

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  19. Thanks so much for the comments! It is a shocker, but I'm getting by. I guess it will happen to all of us eventually, and when it's my turn, I hope I go fast like my boss did. Until then, I hope we all keep creating!

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