Went to a gathering of former co-workers, from the place I worked at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Which sounds kinda awesome right there, but not as awesome as we were/they are…
One of my buddies said wistfully, “Y’remember how, if you turned to someone and said, ‘I need you to do X,’ they would say, ‘Sure!’ and you’d never have to think about it again? Because you knew it would be done well, and when you needed it? The place I work now…not so much.”
An entire firm of people who could do whatever you asked for. In a very cheerful, matter-of-fact way. Who nevertheless worked to live more than lived to work. I have the happiest memories of that time; it was one of the best places I’ve ever worked.
Still, vocation-wise, heart-wise, I’m better suited to the writing I’m doing now.