Presence

Here I am again, writing a tribute to a colleague. This time, it's not about someone who is leaving. But, about someone who is present, just the right way.

I could say that I am largely pleased with my job. Its outcomes are within the reach of my abilities, yet I do have to stand on tiptoe and reach out over my head, once in a while. It puts what I know to good use, yet requires me to look out the window once in a while, to pick up a different point of view and to spot something new. It excites me without making me obsess about it. It keeps me occupied without becoming my preoccupation. It keeps me on the rails to where I tend to vaguely point as my career destination. It pays the bills and some.

Then, there is someone who takes all this and makes it all the more worthwhile. This person: trusts me; believes me; believes in me; likes to teach me; wants to learn from me; cheers for me; chides me; rudely wakes me up when I start to doze off on my feet; leaves me to my work; congratulates me on a job well done; is a bit like me; thinks like me; knows what I am thinking; reminds me to stretch out a little bit; convinces me that I can achieve more by stretching out a little bit; watches out for me; protects me; challenges my ideas; opens up my perspectives; tells me that I am doing well; knows that I am not happy with just doing well; gives me opportunities; gives me second chances... in many ways, is the most important person at work.

In these difficult times, that is a little more than I could reasonably hope for. And, a lot more than I should be allowed to waste.