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Trying to remember that there is always a reason, always something that makes you smile during the day- recognizing the event, person or situation that made you smile will make your day seem that much better.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Day 14: A Hero who has let you down

Another tough one.
Is there someone who I have considered a hero in my life??  There are people that I have looked up to- there are people who I have held to a higher standard absolutely.  Does that make them a hero?? I don't know.
One person who I looked up to and who I had the utmost respect for let me down worse than anyone else in my life.   She had great ideas, she was a go getter, she wanted to make a difference in the lives of these kids.  She was one of them who had made good for herself.  She was going to change the world and make the lives of these kids better.  When you were on her good side, you were golden.  But she could flip on a dime and when you were on her bad side- you not only knew it- but you were punished for it.  As long as she needed you around, you were okay but the minute you questioned or tried something knew you were in for it.  Silent treatment, confrontations about the smallest things, no support with anything.  It was a tough work environment, but I always felt worse for the girls.  They truly looked up to her and tried to make her happy.  Once they were on her bad side, we knew it was only a matter of time before they left.  Trying to give them a steady environment where they could grow was sometimes tough.  She had such great ideas and a great team of people working with her.  We were a solid group of coworkers and all of us wanted to see the place be successful- we would throw around ideas, programs, etc and it was really good- until it wasn't anymore.  When I left, I felt like a piece of my soul stayed there.  When I get together with some of the people that I worked with from that place, we talk about the fact that it's almost PTSD from being there.  This individual, I looked up to her and believed 100% in what she was doing.  I poured my heart and soul into my job and it has taken me a long time to get parts of those back.  She, incidentally, has since left that line of work and was arrested for prostitution.

9 comments:

  1. Nic...this woman sounds like my old boss that I wrote about in my 30 days. What makes people like that tick I'll never understand. Great post. BTW, I responded to your comment on my last blog. Something to think about.

    Love your blog. You're an amazing lady.

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  2. Wow what a horrible environment to try to fleurish. I have worked for jerks but never like that. You are so insightful and I applaud your honesty. The Olde Bagg

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  3. wow - that is a terrible working environment. good thing you left.

    love reading your posts.

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  4. Like Barb said it is a grand post. Just too bad anyone has to deal with a person like that.
    Odie

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  5. OMG talk about a climactic ending! She was arrested for prostitution? I'd say she had a few problems of her own...wow...I'm still stunned...

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  6. That sounds like a very stressful environment, to never know if she would flip and to watch her turn on others you knew had tried hard. But I must say that ending really takes the cake!

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  7. Oh Co - what a complete and utter let down. I have to say tho' - the last line shocked the h*ll out of me. To the point of almost feeling bad for her too.

    I am sorry this happened - truly. It is never easy to be in that situation to have to walk on eggshells.

    Hugs and Love sweetheart. [Yes, I am back at Starbucks. lol]

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  8. Excellent post Col. Must have been pretty awful working in that environment. Why do people behave like that? So unfair on the people around them, but I suppose it must be because they are carrying their own problems. Still no excuse for their behavious though.

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  9. I knew someone like this...but things have worked in the reverse for me....used to give me a tough time earlier, but later decided to be friendly... It's really hard when you know that you cannot make suggestions or bring new ideas just because you know you're going to be penalized for that....

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