April 2005 Newsletter
Online Issue # 9

Profile of Hugh

e-mail: Last Week's Downsizing Recap

Dear Friends,

I wanted to record this past week and share my current frame. I thought I would share a downsizing with a little edge and observations from a slightly bent yokum. I give thanks for your support in ways not always spoken, nor seen.

My story begins Tuesday the 1st of February where upon entering the workplace I discovered a good friend's cube vacant. He departed two hours prior to my arrival and in the next moment I was greeted by the VP and my manager with an invitation to "come into the conference room for a minute." The senior VP had announced ten days prior that there was not enough work to keep everyone and the day of discovery was coming. He was not going to hide the truth of the inevitable any longer.

"It was a hard decision Hugh," dropped from the lips of the VP with as much compassion and belief as a turnip in the produce section. After the rest of the encouragement encounter with them and then the enhancement experience with the human resource rep, I was escorted out by my manager. Nineteen years of service finished in a few minutes of blur. Walking with my escort down the lower level corridor tunnel to the lobby, I turned and faced my former manager and told her, "I was glad to be part of the Magnificent Seven." It was hard; a shock to the system knowing I will no longer retreat to my cage with bullet resistant glass and be a millionaire by day, peddling money and food stamps, doling out the new state quarters, and conducting other financial matters of importance. Ever so mildly linking my identity to what I had done rather than who I am, I am thankful for change.

It was good walking across the Hennepin Avenue bridge over the Mississippi River Tuesday morning after the escort to the riverbank - with a teardrop about to flow, yet I knew I was glad to be done and over, with my high finance career behind me.

I got in touch with family to relay the news and my next memory was being with my brothers and going shopping at the local mall. We started at TJ Maxx and concluded at Lands' End Inlet, all making a clothing purchase. I guess you could say we did the girlie thing - and went shopping. It was good having my sensitive brothers present and then on to chow with pizza and beer. I even got to keep the leftovers, but only because neither of them nor their families would care for a balsamic vinegar combo pizza with veggies (yum, yum! - we tried something new). My older brother stayed overnight at my place as he had work in the cities the next day.

Both brothers asked what I had planned for Wednesday. I mentioned some home improvements beginning with replacing the galvanized plumbing in the basement with copper with the assistance of another friend. Well, my brother had other priorities for me and called me shortly after leaving, telling me to call this guy about a job that I would enjoy and be a good fit. Guess my brother didn't want me sitting around feeling sorry for myself, wallowing in pity; no, here's a great opportunity. So I followed up and interviewed, describing my degree in Marketing Education as one that can be described as emphasizing the importance of "staying in school and selling people of it's import."

I did not have any idea I would start work the next morning (Thursday - 48 hours after downsizing). I am in maintenance and assist in numerous other capacities including IT and purchasing for an engineering/architecture firm I had not heard of till Wednesday morning. They celebrate their fifty years anniversary this summer and have given me tremendous flexibility for other interviews and needs as desired. I rejoice, give thanks to the Lord for His provision and look forward to any and all tasks ahead - big and bigger (as Shaq would say).

Thank you for the encouragement and support, it is much appreciated on a moment by moment basis. I look forward to hearing your voice and catching up in the hopefully not too distant future.

update: The Blue Moon and Dumpster

I thought I would give you an update on my first Monday of work outside the business world. I took a two and a half hour lunch with the same brothers as last week. The Blue Moon Buffet beckoned us and we celebrated the year of the chicken/rooster. Both brothers gleefully smiled at each other as they peered at me asking, "Who's buyin?" Figure that one out!

After work, I was motivated enough to go to my health club, the first time since joining in early December. It felt great doing five rotations on a wintry 15 degree night in Minnesota - two trips to the sauna, in between the three in the whirlpool. Boy, what a place! I gotta get out more often.

On with my unfolding and ever increasingly exciting journey of how the Lord provides in ALL circumstances. During the lunch conversation with my brothers, Mark and Paul, mention was made of my home front being a pigsty. It was suggested that I contact a disposal service and have a huge unit put in front of my house. Believing I would not be able to discard treasures I discovered at estate sales and online purchases over eBay and Amazon, my brother, Paul, suggested I hire someone for the job. I pleaded my case and agreed with him under one condition: That being, I had till April Fools Day, whereupon, they could inspect.

So, meanwhile, I am enjoying the many ways one has of getting rid of refuse in others eyes. It is fun rediscovering the who, where and what of the wide array of buried treasure collected in the past - so many memories associated with my stash of art, music, science, old, young, furniture, photos, etc. The list is long at this point but, just like eating an elephant, one that is attainable, "One bite at a time." It is exciting determining if my workplace or house of worship or other friend or place might have use or storage for - whatever. I have 45 days remaining on the oral dumpster agreement, not binding, yet a compelling challenge.

I plan to travel to Duluth, MN this weekend with a good friend and relax and enjoy the scenery of God's country. I don't think I am going to tell my brother, Paul; he doesn't need to know anyway. This lunch agreement was on the 7th of February and I have just begun to scratch the tip of the iceberg - yet don't believe the Titanic will go down this time.

Again, I give thanks in ALL circumstances and things happening, especially for friends and time spent with them on the weekend. I attended a friend's funeral Saturday, and attended two fund raisers and heard some of the most talented youth outside of Lake Wobegon.

"...Perfect in beauty, God shines forth." Psalm 50:2 NIV

update: Big Dog's Closing

Approaching the end of February, I was given the opportunity to interview with my previous employer. I liked the interviewer and her upfront and honest approach. At the conclusion of the interview, I said I only had two requirements in accepting the position. Doubting they would be honored, I stated first, I would only work two days a week, not full time, as I liked my current employer. Second, I could not receive an offer till after my seven week's vacation/severance deadline had passed, meaning I would start anew from ground zero with no seniority and no credit for years of service. I wanted the bonus check and I wanted not to return to a mediocre position in a cube or office of insignificance.

I had fun both before and after the interview, as I had a two hour rotating lunch with about twenty different friends in the cafeteria. After the interview was over, I went to the public affairs department and obtained a periodical featuring the Nobel prize winner in Economics. He worked in the same building as I used to, so I figured I would get his John Hancock along side his photograph. After interrupting him while in a meeting with a colleague, I asked for his autograph, but the topper was the salutation I requested - "To the Big Dog." It was fun departing that day with barks and calls of "the bank needs you..."

I really look forward to the future and I am doing O.K. The Lord has been gracious and is where I find rest and comfort. I have learned that my faith is paramount, my calling is focused, and life is a journey, not always easy. Yet, I still know that "All things work together for good."

Another thing I have learned is the importance of family, friends and community; a relationship with a family of worship and of substance is vital. When I first let friends know I was downsized, the next day one friend asked how I was doing financially and if I needed any assistance. I give thanks for the friends I regularly meet, and for my two brothers that check up on me. Life for me is "Incredibly and Wonderfully Beautiful" to roll three of my favorite movies into one title.

I will continue to journal and record my stories and look forward to telling of my recent trip to St. Louis. While there I was offered a job in Springfield, Missouri. I also went up the Arch (gateway to the West), drank beer at the Anheuser-Busch plant, toured the Missouri Botanical Garden and took nearly 200 photos of an orchid show.

Another thing I know about my future is the uncertainty. Examine your priorities and values. Life is extremely short. We live and breathe but a fleeting minute. In order to live life to the fullest I believe it starts in the beginning, acknowledging myself to be created before the Creator. Enough preaching!

I thank you for investing the time and energy to read another pilgrim's journey and wish nothing but the best to you as you press onward. May the Lord be with you and comfort as none other.

Your friend,
Hugh

© April 2005

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