I sent this e-mail to the manager who re-hired me to IBM in 2000:
To: Elizabeth
Subject: Thanks for your part (in blue) in my history…
Hi there!
I started at IBM 25 years ago today. However, today I am NOT being inducted into the renowned Quarter Century Club, because of a little 7-year hiatus I took between 1993 and 2000.
I took a severance package in 1993, and got re-hired in 2000, so officially, I only have 18 years of service. That was an amazing 7 years for me that I wouldn’t change for anything though.
A time in which I:
- worked on a novel for a year
- came out to my wife
- got experience working for four other companies, making me confident now that I can “survive on the outside,” and
- came back here with a whole new perspective.
Life is good.
I hope you are well, Elizabeth!
Regards,
John
Shortly after sending the note, I initiated the following chat on our internal chat system, which started, unbeknownst to me, before she had read the above e-mail:
Me – 🙂
Elizabeth – HI!!
Me – hiya
Elizabeth – I have some news for you
Me – oh?
Me – do tell!
Elizabeth – ok
Elizabeth – so my last day with IBM is next friday!
Elizabeth – I am quiting to stay home with the kids
Elizabeth – Michael is back at work now
Elizabeth – and in the fall I plan to train to be a massage therapist!
Me – WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??
Me – SUPER!
Me – congratulations, elizabeth
Me – that is so fantastic
Elizabeth – I am thrilled beyond your wildest dreams
Me – i know you must be
Me – i’m glad i got to thank you for rehiring me before you left
Elizabeth – I was offered a second line position and said, no actually I want to do something totally different
Me – if you decide to come back in 5 or 10 years look me up
Me – i’ll see if i can get you rehired
Me – lol
Elizabeth – 🙂
Elizabeth – Always good to have friends!
Me – well i wish you all the luck in the world
Me – it sounds very exciting
Elizabeth – Thank you!! and I see something in my [inbox] just now from you
Me – oh yeah
Me – read that
Me – sorry
Me – thought you already read it
Elizabeth – ok. I will read it-
Elizabeth – My goodness! what a note
Me – 🙂
Elizabeth – how amazing that you would think to send this to me
Elizabeth – I am floored
Me – i always thank you in my heart for being back here
Elizabeth – incredible!
Elizabeth – well if anyone is good for IBM – You are!!!
Elizabeth – you prove that everyday
Me – thanks
Me – well it was very timely that i sent it then
Me – or you might have disappeared without my ever knowing
Me – 🙂
Elizabeth – I will send my personal address and e-mail so that you know how to reach me
Elizabeth – and you must tell me if you visit Austin. My home is so open to you!!!
Elizabeth – really you must know that and take advantage of it if you like
Me – i’d like that. thanks. and you can always check in with what’s up with me in my blog: http://www.livejournal.com/users/dailyafirmation
Me – great! thank you!
Elizabeth – My kids will adore you and you would like Michael
Elizabeth – and he you
Me – awww. thanks. i might just take you up on that!
Elizabeth – our door is so open
Me – thank you, elizabeth.. and should you ever find yourself vacationing in the high-vacation-destination of raleigh nc.. my place is open to you and your family as well!
Elizabeth – 🙂 love that
Elizabeth – talk to you again in life –
Me – ok hugs and smooches
Me – send me that personal contact info!
Me – and i’ll return mine
Elizabeth – you got it!
Me – thx
Me – ciao niao
Me – 🙂
Elizabeth – bye
And later in the day, an e-card from Sharon:
