Coffee Company
About twenty five years ago I had an opening in the Watonwan County Assessor’s office for the front desk receptionist. On a sunny winter’s day a young gal was at the front counter, asking for me. When she was told to walk into my office, there in my doorway stood a young gal in a long black wool coat wearing a black hat with a bit of a veil held onto the hat by a feather. Renee was looking for a job that would replace the job she had in an accountant’s office doing income tax for clients.
Renee, a previous co-worker
and a great friend.
After having completed her 40 hour work week in the assessor’s office yesterday, Renee spent a portion of her Saturday coming over for coffee today. What a delightful visit we had. There was some shop talk as a new county assessor, her boss, has been on board for three months. We spent more time on catching up as Renee had not been over for coffee since before Christmas. I really did not need to go out on a limb for her visit as she is more like family than fussy company.
In those early days her grade school son, Joe, would walk to the courthouse and wait for Renee to finish up her day. Joe would pull out of his back pack some sports trading cards and while away the time. When Renee was on maternity leave, after having her daughter, Gabby, she asked me if I could leave work long enough to take her and Gabby to the doctor in Madelia as Gabby had become ill quite quickly. Several summers ago when Gabby needed help with her sewing project in 4-H, Renee and Gabby spent a fair amount of time at our home to get just the right spin on the pattern and fabric. Such was and such is our relationship.
Twenty some years ago it was a kinder work environment. Employers valued good employees and their personal home life was respected and valued. An employee knew the boss had their back and the working relationship paid huge dividends for the quality of work that was given. I don’t think that holds true any longer. How sad.
A huge pot of coffee later and a hug, Renee was off to take care of errands for the family as Monday rolls around way too quickly.