Some people come into our lives and quickly go.

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never ever the same.

Two years ago I became a Team Lead in technologies of a new department, under a new structure, with new responsibilities. I would be leading and working with a team of people I did not know, most of whom are ½ my age, who were born and raised in a different land and culture 8000 miles away. In the new world of outsourcing and globalization, this is how it is. People are educated, trained, and placed where their skills fit the job need. Others work from their 8000 miles away locations in close contact via computers, cell phones and conference calls. But when you work in close proximity with people, no matter what your differences may be, or how far away they physically may be, there are similarities and there is room for laughter, and team work, and supporting each other and taking care of each other.

For the past 2 years I have graciously been given the gift of friendship from a group of amazing, wonderful, funny, smart, and sometimes kind of wacko people. With some I have become very close. There are about 10 of us that have lunch nearly every day, whom I've gone bowling with, to Indian dances at the U of M, Bollywood and American movies, boating, picnics, potlucks of Indian, American and Swedish food, who have taught me how to cook Indian (North and South), turned me on to Indian music (Hindi and Tamil), and with whom I've gone ice fishing. I've held your babies, met some of your parents, been listed as emergency contact when surgery was needed, and given the great honor of accompanying while picking up an engagement ring. There have been wedding celebrations and there have been tragedies. We’ve raked leaves together, traveled to the Black Hills together, shot pool, played games and cooked together, laughed and drank (me, diet coke) and danced together, and with 1 or 2 we’ve cried together. You're all wonderful, smart, kind, funny and I love you. Every one of you. Even the one dating my daughter. J

Stuff happens in the workplace, and now due to the rebidding of contracts, my friends are moving on. Some already have. This week many more are. Some will stay, but things will change. Life goes on.

I want to thank each of you for bringing so much color into my life, and for you to know that I've been working for longer than you’ve been alive, but the past 2 years have been the most fun and memorable I’ll probably ever have. I’ve learned so much, laughed so deeply, and have enjoyed my work life and my home life so much more because of your presence in both. I'm devastated and heartbroken, and you’ve seen me cry and you will see more of it. You have told me not to cry or to feel sad, that this is just how things are, but I’m telling you that I will cry and feel sad, and that it’s ok. I learned a long time ago that there’s a balance in life, and if you want to feel great love, you’ll feel great sadness. That’s the price. It’s worth every penny, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to know you and work with you and know we've had a great gift for the past 2 years. What we’ve had together is not common, but a rare and wonderful thing and I will treasure our time together always.

You all are the bravest people I have ever met. It's been my privilege and honor to work with you and play with you.

I will be seeing you.

Namaste.