An administrative level position came open in my office after about
10 months of working here. Even though I only worked here a relatively short
time, I felt confident that I could do a good job at the administrative level,
and my boss thought the same thing. After interviewing me and several other
candidates, my boss hinted that I was basically a shoo-in. Then she told me
they had one more interview. She was a late applicant but had a lot of
experience so they had to interview
her. Ok, no big deal. The next day my boss called me in and told me they
offered the job to that late applicant. I put on my happy face and hide my
extreme disappointment. She told me that they knew I’d do a good job but the
lady they had chosen had a ton of experience and would be an excellent addition
to our office. Yeah ok, whatever.
Little did I know the impact this would have on my life. This lady
that they, very rightly, chose over me is now one of my closest and dearest friends.
I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have survived these last six years without
her, professionally or personally. Maura is one of those people who embodies
the spirit of goodness. Her level of compassion and caring is unparalleled and I
am so grateful to call her my friend. I have never worked so well with someone,
or had such a perfect complement and balance in a teammate. We fill each
other’s deficiencies perfectly and sometimes I feel like we are just an
extension of each other. But it’s not just work stuff. I’ve had a lot of ups
and downs in the last 6 years, especially this last year. I’ve cried more in
her cubicle than any other place combined. She’s helped me talk through more
issues than I care to remember. She knows when to give advice and when to just
listen. She heaps on the support and love in ways that I never thought
possible. She has been my crutch when I thought I couldn’t move. She has been
my motivation when I didn’t think I could go a second longer. She has held me
up when all I wanted to do was crumble. But, of course, that’s not all. She has
also been an amazing mentor to me. She never let an opportunity to teach me
something pass by. She always included me and went out of her way to show me
how to do something. I can say without question, I am a better person for
knowing Maura.
On Friday she gave her two-week notice and I’m afraid I’m going to
grab onto her leg and never let go as she walks out of the door on her last day.
She has been my life support and I can’t fathom coming to work without her
here. She is making the right decision and I am so happy that she doing what is
best for her…but damn I’m going to miss her. Of course we will stay in touch as
much as humanly possible, but there will be a gaping void that cannot be
filled.
So Maurina, I’m going to miss you more than words can describe.
But once again you are being a perfect role model as you embark on an uncertain,
but necessary, future. Your faith in God and in yourself makes everyone around
you a better person. I wish you all the happiness in the world and I look
forward to continuing our friendship despite the distance. Good luck my dear
friend. Thank you for being you and for all you have done for me in these last
six years! I will cherish our friendship forever!
