The Big Day

Well, today was the big day at my office. We were advised last week to report to the office by 9 am this morning with all county issued equipment and badges. So we knew that the lay-offs we've been expecting since March were finally here. First of all I must say that I loved the people I worked with and am glad that through this whole process the whole department has maintained it's dignity, cohesiveness and a sense of humor. And that was still the general feeling this morning, although the anxiety and tension was definitely present. I though I would go crazy with the waiting as I sat in my little office waiting for someone to call or come and get me to tell me my fate. Finally about 40 min after 9. I was summoned to the conference room along with 17 or my co-workers and informed that I had been chosen to stay. First and foremost, I am definitely relieved, yet it's certainly bittersweet as 8 of my coworkers were laid-off. We were then asked to leave the building and disappear until 1 pm to give those who were laid off time to gather their things and exit the building. So we went to a 3 hour lunch and shopping trip, then reported back at 1 pm to find out the details of our new positions, which as it turns out, still haven't been finalized, so I don't know any more this afternoon than I did this morning except that I will for sure still have a job, what exactly I'll be doing remains to be seen.
I can't say that this whole process has been a pleasure in any way shape or form, and I have a feeling after our meeting this afternoon that the stress is far from over as we're basically re-inventing just about everything that we do, but it has certainly been a learning experience and for that I'm grateful.