Andy and I just returned from a reunion a former boss of mine hosted. Andy was going to finish up the comic strip once we got home but he fell asleep on the sofa and I don't have the heart to wake him up. He worked on the laundry room up until we left for my reunion and was a perfect husband once we got there. I think I may be a little tipsy since I feel like gushing over how awesome he is.
Maybe it's the fact that I was just reminded of a time in my life when my home life and work life were in perfect harmony.
I always boast about the amazing perks I had while working for Bob (former boss)(He also called himself an SOB 'Sweet Ole Bob'). He treated all of his employees with respect and made it apparent to anybody who would listen how he valued each and every one of us. My sister and I joined his company late in his life so he retired a couple of years after we got there. His heir decided he didn't want to continue in his footsteps so the company was sold to a bigger, heartless company who slowly started dismembering all the work he had done over the past 25 years.
Nobody knows how old he is because he has kept up with his looks via a very skilled physician, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, but don't think I'm mocking him. Not at all. He is my hero. I mean, the man would bring wine for us to drink while we were at work, let us leave at noon on Fridays, took us out for lunch for our birthdays and oh yeah, did I mention the booze?
Because all people I admire tend to have quirks, he is no different. Today, for example, he told my sister and I that he had invited his physician to meet us because she was Mexican and maybe we could brush up on our Spanish. He also asked if we wanted something to drink and I said we'd like something nonalcoholic so he said "Coca? I have some Coca. I keep it for the guys that do my lawn." which translated means his Mexican gardeners. Ha! That may sound a little racist but the man goes out of his way to make people happy. The kicker? He asked me if I had children and when I told him no, "What? Is there a problem? [points at Andy] Do you need me to step in?" Dirty old man you say? You'd be right but ya' know what? The dude is hilarious!
I felt sad for a minute because his amazing personality is still going strong and I miss so very much the days I would wake up in the morning and head to a place I enjoyed working in. So many memorable things happened during my time there. I got married, the unfortunate events of 9-11 happened, my beautiful Natalia was born all these things affected my life in one way or another. Not to mention this was the everyday view from my office:
In the end I'm thankful I had the opportunity to work for his company. I met some of the greatest people that I still keep in touch with. I also know there are bosses out there, somewhere, who treat their employees like people and not disposable snot rags. (Thanks OZ- you fucking asshole!)(he knows why I'm mad at him)
So I raise my glass to all great bosses out there! Thanks S.O.B.!
And to all the people who work for them? Don't take them for granted because you may never again have the pleasure of truly loving your job, liking the people you work with and having an amazing employer.
And now for a Zen moment.
P.S.
My green shoes looked awesome and practically stole the show!
P.P.S.
Don't tell Andy I was all *Andy crazed* okay? I'm sure I'll be back to my normal self tomorrow so he doesn't need to know.
You're lucky to have such good memories. Now I want a job where they bring you wine...
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful heartfelt post!
ReplyDeleteYou have a good hubby and it is nice to see you gushing over him. I won't tell him though.. I know how they get.
I can see why you loved your job so much. He truly was a great boss.
We had one like that (minus the wine) when I first started. He was always out walking the floor , saying hi to everyone, making sure we were all happy and had what we needed. Would buy us tickets to theme parks if he thought we did a great job. Then he retired, and everything changed :(
BUT the new boss still makes sure we have what we need and does everything he can to make sure none of us get laid off. So i AM grateful to be where I am. I love the job, most of my co-workers and the great pay and benefits.
That was a great post! Out of all the bosses I've had, most were so-so, a few were AWFUL and then there's THE ONE. Yes, the one that actually cares, that wants you to succeed. It's amazing to have that kind of support in the workplace.
ReplyDeleteI love the vine surrounding the bench photo and your view from the window is beautiful.
Glad to hear the shoes were a success.
It's a shame good bosses are so rare. Glad you had a great time. I always suspected you were giddy over Andy.
ReplyDeleteI had a boss who used to "have a bottle" at work ;-)
ReplyDelete, he didn't share though... not that I would've taken a sip or anything, but it would have been nice to have been asked. :-)
Wow, Bee. You are tipsy. Just kidding, of course. I'm happy the green shoes were a hit. I knew they would be.
ReplyDeleteGreat bosses make all the difference in the world. (We spend more time with them than we do our families sometimes.) It's sad when they retire and leave us with a monster.
You should ask him to hire you to cut his grass...you are Mexican right? then maybe after a hot day of you pushing around his lawnmower he'll come out and have a picnic with you....how romantic.
ReplyDeleteNice tribute to SOB. You are 100% right about appreciating a good boss and a good job. They can make all the difference in life outside the office as well.
ReplyDelete