Black Tuesday

In my continued work related travels, I was in Virginia all of last week.  I must say that of all the states I have been to for business these past several weeks, Virginia is my favorite.  Glorious.

Unfortunately, I won't be back.

As I was practicing Sudoku on an east bound plane, there were significant layoffs taking place in my office.  Several of my colleagues were let go with a restructuring of the company.  I didn't learn of it until I changed planes in Atlanta.

While I am so grateful to still have my job, I was shaken by the loss for my friends.  I remember all too well that peculiar "report to HR" email, the urgency of which unfolds like a slow acting time bomb as you begin to realize everything it says in what it doesn't say.  I cannot tell you how glad I was not to have been there when it was happening.

What a world.

I remember unemployment.  It is a devastating thing.  And it remains on your mind like a wound that won't heal.  Sort of like getting a nasty bite from your own dog - you are likely never to feel fully safe around any dog again.

With the new distribution of territory, I have lost my state in the south.  My favorite.  Ridiculous to even mention when considering the loss of a job.

I am praying for all of them.  They and all 14.7% of people in the U.S. out of work today.   They should never be far from our minds.

And may the rest of us be moved to help - in any way we can.