A Day to Remember

Two significant things happened today.  Both are mile-markers as I approach the coming crossroads in my life.  One was good and one not-so-good.

I'll start with the shitty one.  While delivering a reviewed CASAC case into the mail room, I saw Anita by the mail machine.  As I walked in, I said, "hi Anita!"  She said hi and asked me if I was busy.  I told her that I wasn't, so she followed me into my office and closed the door.  She asked me if I had access to the PLA intranet site; I said no.  She then told me that she had heard from Sue my position that there may be gender bias in the unit, both among the co-workers in the unit and how we assess clients' cases.  I said yes, that's right.  So she told me that she would send to me the link the intranet site, along with the PLA harassment policy.  She said that I could make a report to her or to the chair of the board of directors.  I responded by saying thanks and that I would read it.  And she stood up and walked out of the office.

As soon as she walked out, I thought to myself, "really?  That's it?"  And, in fact, I don't remember the last time that Anita took any personal interest in me whatsoever.  I don't remember the last conversation with her that consisted of more than courteous banter to fill the air and pass the time in the elevator or in the kitchen or something along those lines.  Where's the interest in your employees?  As the leader of an organization that's only about 40 people, how hard is it to show some direct, genuine interest every once in a while?  And how about especially when an employee is dissatisfied, as I have been?  That's not how you run a quality organization, one where your employees are energized to work for you, while also sincerely respecting you due to your consistency, discipline, example, and leadership.  When you think of the great coaches, Vince Lombardi or Pat Summit or Phil Jackson, they're tough, but they show care for their players.  That quite simply lacks at PLA.  Today's sub-par episode in management is just one more strike on the (still only mental) list of grievances.  I ask myself: if that's the leadership, then what does that say about the organization?  Any sane man will jump off a sinking ship.

Before I get too frustrated and disappointed, let me move on to the good news, which is worthy of a new paragraph:
 
Jeannie told me that she's pregnant!  I got home from work around 7:00pm this evening.  We sat down on my bed and she asked me to finally read the card she got for me.  Along with the card was a little mailbox of sorts.  I opened it up and there was a pregnancy stick inside.  I looked at it closely -- not fully comprehending what I was looking at I don't think -- and saw two lines, indicating "pregnant."  I looked at Jeannie, probably in astonishment, and then I kissed her.  We talked about it for a while and I told her that I was very happy to be with her and whatever happens we'll be together and go through it together.  I told her that I have faith in God, so we'll just take it as it comes and go from there.  Obviously this is something I could write about on and on, but I won't do that, mainly because Jeannie is upstairs waiting for me now, but also because I need more time to let it sink in.  I guess you can say that today was a momentous day!  I will say that I feel happy.  As always, I pray for God to guide me (and us).