The latest at work...

There is this guy I used to work named “Mark”. Well, he had a lot of field experience and a good amount of time put in with my company. Everyone in the building knows him. His work is respected, but I always heard that he is not as dedicated and into his job as he once was. It didn’t take me long to realize that he was not easy to get along with. His direct coworkers and his boss had a very difficult time communicating and interacting with him. I know he was even sent to an anger management class a few times. I liked talking to him things about things not related to work, but even then, he was bitter – a complainer. I knew he was gay (no big deal to me…I am FAR from homophobic). I knew he was very sickly (very ill at work and often missed work). But I never put two and two together. The poor guy has AIDS. A few months ago, there was a major disturbance at work. News spread that he tried to commit suicide the night before. That was a very traumatic experience for people in a work place to deal with. No one counseled us in any way. As a matter of fact, we were basically told to be hush-hush with everything we knew because our neighbor might not know all the details we do. So, we waited for a while to find out if he was going to pull through. He was knocking on death’s door but somehow he made it. He has been on leave for a while. In some ways, I'm really glad the guy lived. But on the other hand, I know that isn't at all what he wanted. I think I am happy for his those who love and care about him...but for him, it is kinda sad. He wanted out and got sucked back in. As far as our work place is concerned, moving on without his knowledge and experience was difficult, but we all adjusted well. In my opinion, I think we were better off without him there in many ways.

Well, today, I found out it is “Mark” who will inhabit that vacant cubicle in my work area. He is coming back. And instead of just being a coworker in my area, he will be a part of MY work group. My boss told me and a few coworkers this in confidence. So, until tomorrow, not many people know who this “mystery person” is. I find it strange that they are choosing to let everyone be taken off guard, rather than preparing them. But whatever. I guess that is why I am an admin and not a “high up”. ;)

~"Tish"