Work/Life
Jenifer just posted about the increase in her work responsibilities and how work stuff is slowly nudging its way into her personal life (crowding out longish lunches and stress-free evenings and so forth). I have always been a real stickler for work/life balance. Even though by definition my job requires lots of night and weekend work, I take ample comp time and I protect my personal life whenever possible (Publicly: “No, I’m not available to attend that evening community reception”. Privately: “Because it conflicts with longstanding girls’ night”.) Obviously I make compromises—but only when really necessary.
But I work with people in my job, and they, not necessarily my responsibilities, crowd into my mind (and sometimes my heart) at all hours. I dream about them and toss and turn thinking about them. Sometimes because they are lovely and needy and kind, and I want to help them very badly. Sometimes because they are pushy and confrontational and I’m afraid of what they’ll do if they don’t get what they want.
I had a hybrid come in yesterday. This woman had applied for a program, spent weeks trying to prove her eligibility, and ultimately didn’t qualify because of bureaucratic standards too infuriating to describe. She was hugely disappointed and angry. Scarily and rightfully angry. And it is only the kind and conciliatory nature of our program coordinator that soothed her enough to come in and talk about other options.
I was wearing my wrist brace and she asked if I had carpal tunnel. I am pretty sure that I don’t, but my hands have been bothering me lately and I’m worried about repetitive stress injury. Too much typing. I’m seeing a doctor about it on Monday.
Turns out this woman just finished massage school. She beckoned me over to where she was sitting and massaged my hand in an act of total and unbridled kindness.
Posted by Dori at 11:53 AM
3 Comments
Wow, that's sort of strange, kind of like that scene in the movie Notes on a Scandal when Judi Dench massages Cate Blanchett's hands in this awkward moment that was intended to be soothing. Did this act make you feel uncomfortable at all? Because I think it would've made me feel a bit odd.
I feel you about the needs of the people you work with following you home, even when you would prefer to leave them neatly tucked away in the file of work. But how nice of that client!
Incidentally, I hope your hand survives its trip to the doctor unscathed!
It made me uncomfortable at first because it was so out of the blue, but then it was just nice. The whole thing lasted maybe 5 minutes.
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