It’s been somewhat of a stressed atmosphere at Village Hall as of late. First there was the economy and the impending thought of layoffs. Then there was an election where a new Village President had been elected to office. Following that was the fear that people would be fired so that new leadership would be asked to run the departments. It didn’t leave people in relaxed situations, but rather tense instead.
I’ve made some suggestions to colleagues (who know me well enough to allow me to say these things) like, “Did you know that by smiling a person is known to look ten pounds lighter?” Sometimes I’ll just say, “Let me see those pearly whites!” Or I will just take my two index fingers and lift up the corners of my mouth to create a smile and just say, “Smile! It’s good for you!” Well, this afternoon, after coming back to the office after lunch, I put my foot in my mouth. While returning from lunch, I was passing by the front counter and I told a colleague (who looked like she had the day off based on how she was dressed with shorts and t-shirt) to smile while pushing the corners of my lips up to form a smile. She just shook her head back and forth to signal “No” and she kept her frown. I then said to myself, “Gosh am I a fool. She looks like she may have lost someone and I’m trying to kid around with her.”
I wasn’t in my office more than a minute or so before I was told that a colleague passed away after she went home for lunch. I couldn’t believe what I had heard. Not that we were very close, but close enough to be chums and share a lot of laughs with. It hasn’t settled in yet. I’m sure it will be much different tomorrow. I had only seen her 6 hours earlier and now I’ll never be saying, “Pobrecita” to her ever again. She always would keep me up on my Spanish learned in high school and college and there was this lesson of using “-cito” and “-cita” to describe people.
Tomorrow morning I am attending what will hopefully be my last appointment to go over what happened on April 25th. I so hope to have some closure over this. I’ll probably be heading to bed soon. Have a fantabulous Tuesday everyone. 
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Remember the good times you had together.
[Love the puppy!]
I think all of us at some time or another, stick our foot in our mouth much as you did: we walk into a situation and say something innocently (and intended to be kindly) and we learn later that it was inappropriate to the situation. Those of us who have been there, when the shoe is on the other foot, have the grace to forgive and to overlook.
I hope you had a good Tuesday.
And I hope you get some closure!
What they said.
But remember if you keep her in your heart, she is always here.
Adorable puppy. We’ve all tasted our foot at one time or another. Sorry to hear it was your turn. And sorry to hear about your co-worker. Good luck at your appointment.
Will you one day ever share you April lament?
Sorry to hear about your co-worker. Damn, that’s tough.
Indeed. I’m just debating whether to add round two to the “lament.”
Here is hoping that you received the much needed positive closure from that April event! Hoping, praying, believing for the best! {HUGS}!!