I got an email from the 'top boss' on Friday that they had finally hired a replacement for one of the 'chief's who left our company last December. He will start in mid-August. I saw his photo; nice young-looking man, probably in his early 30's. But I've never been a judge of age. I'm a bit anxious in that the person who left only had me schedule occasional meetings for her; she was self-sufficient and made most of her meetings if they only involved a few people. I only was needed it the meeting required a group. I have a feeling that much, much more will be required of me as most men DO use their assistants for everything, versus doing things themselves. Part of me is afraid for I haven't done a lot of the things that may be required. To start with, I've never had to 'onboard' an executive. I don't know how. I do have a laptop that I can pass off to him and all, but all his information goes to the person who he reports to - passwords, etc., and I can only do so much. With not even being in the office, I don't know where to begin to get them set up. I'm sure he will have to go into the office in the beginning to figure things out; will I have to go as well? I won't be reporting to him, but I will be supporting him. And some time in August they plan to also hire the person replacing the woman I mentioned left mid-June. It is at times like this that I just want to retire and find a job closer to home and one that I can enjoy being with the public. I do miss people, but I don't want to have to drive downtown either. I see a lot of work in my future; work I don't know, don't understand, and don't really want to learn. Things I have learned in the past I have forgotten since I don't use them. Especially this past year and a half. Yes, I have been working remotely that long. March 13, 2020 was when I was told I was to work from home. So much has changed over this past year and a half. We had several people resign or retire. We have gone from a close community of employees working together to everyone pretty much working together but no longer sharing life together. It's been a hard transition. And it will be a hard transition to get back what we have lost.
My family is doing their own things today. My daughter and hubby made it to Nebraska safely and will be there all week helping their daughter move into a new home and playing with the grnadchildren. My middle child will be going to a friend's house today to celebrate the 4th. My youngest son will be heading to the show to escape the sound of firecrackers going off which triggers his PTSD. I must admit I don't understand the effects of PTSD sometimes. And I understand there are different kinds of PTSD. I never really understood what PTSD was that my son talked about because he had been in Iraq until I watched a movie... and the title escapes me. My youngest son had loaned me the movie to watch and I finally began to understand what his PTSD may be. I admit, I have been skeptical because I didn't understand it because he wasn't IN the fighting there; he was on a base. But what I didn't understand was that sound carries and the fighting that was going on OUTSIDE of the base carried INTO the base and it could wear on the nerves of others. Plus, if he ever went outside the base, he would SEE what had happened. The movie helped me to understand what he could be going through, especially when he hears popping sounds like firecrackers. It's an automatic reaction.
Reminds me of his father when he first came home from Viet Nam. I didn't dare try to awaken him or startle him. It only took one time for me to shake him awake for him to pin me down before he realized it was me. He had shown me photos of people dead and I saw some - very little, actually - of what he saw. It was grusome. I remember him writing me when he was in Saigon on a mission that a bullet had gone through the side of his jacket, barely touching his body, only leaving a mark. I am sure that was very scary.
Today I am praying for those with PTSD, especially from the wars, because it has scarred them. I believe my children's father eventually got over it, perhaps because it wasn't talked about that much and men were taught to 'suck it up, it's war'. I don't know if any of you have been through things that cause PTSD, or even understand it. Much of it I still do not understand. But I can pray for those who have it. And so can you. Let's agree to be more tolerable of those who cannot be around large crowds ..(I don't have that type of PTSD but I don't like being in crowds where people are bumping into me that I don't know).... let's agree to be more understanding of those who have to turn music up loud or go to the movies or somewhere the noise either blocks out firecrackers popping or guns going off. Let's be more tolerable of the things we don't understand. It could happen to us.
My readings were really good this morning. I read an article a friend had given me yesterday at Needles of Hope about worship and the Kiss of God's Presence. Those of you who do not know Him will not understand those words. But those of us who do know Him, know it is a deep worshipful longing of being in His Presence, and feeling His Kiss upon us. There is nothing better than being kissed by God. And it starts with worship. Worship isn't just ABOUT God, it is worship TO God. It starts by inviting God into our lives.
I quote.... "In our pursuit of God's presence and in following Christ, worship will always, ultimately, be the act of attributing reverent honor and awe to God. We do not need to be a worship leader or musician to express our worship. We worship God because He is God, and because we have an extravagant love for Him. Intimate worship is rooted in our relationship and intimacy with God - our proximity TO Him........A kiss always comes from the heart. And a loving Heavenly Father will always embrace "the kiss" of His child - His arms are always open, reciprocating with a tangible "kiss from His lips"."
Take some time this weekend to just 'be' and worship God. Let Him minister to your heart, your soul, your mind, and give you the peace that you so long for. Set aside time for just listening to Him. Even if it is just 5 minutes, turn your mind to Jesus and let Him be with you.
It can change your life.
Have a good July 4th - stay safe!
Blessings
