It's been one month

It's been one month since my last confession. No, I mean, since I was laid off. It was a Friday afternoon, the last day of February when I was called in to my supervisor's office and upon seeing the HR Director also--knew I wasn't at a usual staff meeting. I later was escorted to my car.

It was a long four days before my computer left my line of vision. I was on it day and night--networking with former colleagues and friends and connecting with others who had been laid off too. On the fourth night I arose from my computer tunnel vision stupor and ventured outside. I had to "collect my belongings" from my former office. What a sad and humiliating time as I was watched while I packed my things.

Yet, on the fifth day, I arose to a beautiful, unseasonably warm early March day. As I drove to my Employee Assistance Program counseling meeting, I discovered that there were people everywhere. On a Tuesday! Were these people all laid off too? Or were they usually out and about on a Tuesday when I was usually at work?

I was told by the counselor that I was doing all the right things--networking and job searching--but that I needed to take time for myself also. Have coffee with friends, volunteer or do something that I hever had time to do when I was working. Take advantage of this unexpected time off. Don't spend all of the time on the computer.

I let my mind wander as I drove around familiar haunts from previous work lives downtown and somehow ended up at the unemployment--Iowa Workforce office. I was confused as I made my way inside. Mothers sitting on the floor feeding their babies, men in Carhardts and business suits, people leaning against windowsills and rows of computer and people filled cubicles greeted me. I was in a world I had never seen before--at least not in this country. I had been exported to another galaxy. The world of the unemployed.

Stay tuned for my next chapter.

Sheri