First Week Back Down

It's early Friday morning of my first week back to work and I have to say, I've done a hell of a lot better this week than I thought I would. Oddly, it all feels so normal already. It did by day 2. I guess I was able to prepare myself and wrap my head around it all better than I thought I would. The first day back I only had a hard time the first hour or so after I got here. Of course my eyes started to well up the second I pulled into the parking space. When I got out of the car I was welcomed by a teammate who was really pleased to see me back. Upon his asking how I was doing, the threatening tears spilled over and I became slightly incoherent trying to speak through them. As I was putting my things into my desk and getting ready to boot my computer, my most fabulous BFF came over, smiling and happy to see me, bearing a beautiful baby blanket she had made for Baby Bean while I was out. I pretty much got all of my crying out while I was talking to her and then was good to go the rest of the day.

All of the PMs who needed work done on their manuals while I was gone chose to save all said work until my return, even though I had set them up with secondary help to get them through the eight weeks I was gone. I wasn't here long before I was back in the saddle making modifications and had scads of work to catch up on. I even have a tight deadline coming up by the end of the month and I'm not sure I'll make it. All of that helped take my mind off the fact that I wasn't at home snuggling my baby girl.

It also helps that I work a few short miles from home, so I am able to go home for lunch every single day. It makes the days go by faster with that little happy break in the middle.

As for the laying off thing, I have been told that I am pretty much more secure here than anyone else on my team since I am the only person in the company who does what I do, and I work for four different groups here. Not many people here can claim the latter. Maybe a handful at most. On top of that, I had my annual review upon my return and it was GLOWING. My PM said he rarely gives glowing reviews and that his PM even more rarely hands out compliments like the one he gave me. I guess I must be doing something right here.

Given the choice, I would still rather work part time, but I'm glad I have a job to come to and that it is filled with such wonderful people. I can handle this.