Hey Yall! I have been in tears for the past week. Today is my last day at my job. I know you're wondering why I am crying? I'm not crying because I lost my job; I'm crying because I'll miss it, miss all the people I've worked with. I'm leaving my job to chase my dream of being a full-time entrepreneur with my blog, I won't be able to grow my blog even more if I'm still working for someone else.
For 8 years I've been working as a receptionist at a business consulting firm, and unlike a lot of people, I enjoy coming to work every day. The love given to me by my bosses and coworkers is something I'll cherish for a lifetime!
Never did I feel like just a number, never did I feel like I was different because the color of my skin (everyone at my job is white), people genuinely cared about my family and me.
During the time after I gave birth to Michelle, my assignment ended at a temp agency which left me out of a job. Mr. M was in school to study business, so we were both unemployed with a newborn and a toddler. Money was running out, we were both scared we would have no food or roof over our heads.
We both went on interviews after interviews, no one would hire us. To me, I think employers frowned upon me because they asked what happened to my last job, I told them my assignment ended due to having a baby, so they started thinking I was going to be one of those people always calling out of work. Unknowingly, they didn't realize I had my daughters' grandma who was staying with us on the weekdays to help watch her grandchildren so Mr. M and I could work.
My current employer gave me a chance. They did ask if I had childcare during the hours I would be working. Proudly I said yes, no need to worry I'll always come into work. And that I did!
My job has been so supportive and helped me during my struggling times.
When I first started my job, I had a dental problem that needed immediate attention. My dental insurance didn't go into effect until a year of employment, but I couldn't wait until then, I was suffering from a painful abscess. I had no money to pay out of pocket for the dentist, so my employer paid for it for me. I couldn't believe they would do that! I just started working there; I could've gotten my tooth fixed and then bounced on them. But that's not in my character, and they can tell that is not the kind of person I am. They wanted to make sure I was no longer in pain and feeling well.
During the times when it was hard to pay my bills, all of a sudden my employer would come to me and say you've have gotten a raise, it'll show on your next paycheck! They never knew I was struggling; it was God who heard my cries and blessed me with a pay raise.
Never have I worked at a job that gives out an end of the year bonuses. Each year, I was blessed with a bonus and was able to give my family gifts for Christmas, pay off credit card bills, and also be able to take a vacation.
My employer wasn't the only one so generous. One of my coworkers paid my rent when my rent check was stolen out of my apartment's drop box. I was sitting at my desk in tears because the landlord put a noticed on our door saying they haven't received our rent, so they're going to start the eviction process. I'm always on time with the rent, and I didn't have an extra $950 laying around to pay it again. My coworker saw me crying and asked me what's wrong. I explained to her what was going on with me, then she took out her checkbook and wrote a check for the amount due for my rent. Just WOW!!! WON'T HE DO IT! I did pay her back in payments until she was fully paid off.
My job was such a blessing to me! Always there for my family and me, welcomed us to their homes and parties, they celebrated my birthday every year and done so much more. We laughed together; we cried together. They are my family!
I told them while tears were streaming down my face, never to forget me because I'm never going to forget them. I love them, I'm grateful to have them in my life. No other job cared so much for me.
They wished me well with my new venture, me working as a full-time blogger. They have been telling all their friends and family about my new business and speaking so highly of me.
Thank you for all your love and support! Thank you for giving me a chance when others wouldn't. You showed me that there are still good people in this world. God bless you!
Lou!!!!!!! I'm so happy that God put you around people that genuinely care for you! That is truly a blessing and priceless! I'm also happy that you are pursuing your dreams, you have an amazing blog and I know that God will bless you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Emerald! And thank you for contributing to my blog!
DeleteBeautiful sentiment. There are still good people in the world! All the best on your next journey!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.robincharmagne.com
Thanks girl! Thank you for always supporting me, I truly appreciate it!
DeleteCongratulations Lou. I'm very happy for you and your desire to step out full time. You do an awesome job blogging and I'm happy I found you. You are a giver and for that, you will be blessed. Wishing you nothing but the best because you rock!!! Thank you for keeping us so informed with great information. I hope to find my passion and take a leap one day too. God continued blessings on you and your beautiful family.
ReplyDeleteI'm so grateful to have you as a reader Janet! You are always so supportive and help me to grow my blog. I hope to meet you in person some day.
DeleteYou'll find your passion, and you too will be on your way to entrepreneurship!
Lou, your post had me bawling! I am so happy for you and I am a witness to what God can do too!!! I love your blog and I pray for God to continue to bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteAww you're too sweet Kb! Thank you so much! God's blessings will flow upon you as well.
DeleteWhat a rarity to find a company that cares so much about their employees. I've always left jobs skipping out of the door due to the lack of employee relations so it is really good to hear about a company with such a kind dynamic.
ReplyDeleteChange is a hard thing but often needed. Much success to you in doing your blogging full time. You are already rocking it out, so I know you will be exponentially more successful than you are now with more time to devote.
A rarity indeed. My previous jobs were terrible, so it's refreshing to see an employer that actually cares for their employees. My job was a small business, and usually businesses smaller in size treat their employees with respect. That's another reason why we need to support small businesses. Thanks Mimi!
DeleteYou truly have been blessed and I can't wait to see what he has in store for you next!!!! Merry Christmas sis and a prosperous and joyous New Year my dear!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sis! You have always been so supportive and have been one of my biggest cheerleaders! Merry Christmas to you and Happy New Year!
Deletewow! This is so rare in this day and age! You are blessed! But congratulations on being able to pursue your dreams full time!!
ReplyDeleteYes, very rare! Thanks girl!
DeleteThat's so amazing!!! I had one job like that and when I get laid off (due to loss of funding) the CEO cried when she had to let me go and fought hard for me when the state didn't want to pay me unemployment insurance. I'm so happy for you and I can't wait to see how your business grows!!!
ReplyDeleteSee, that's love right there! Thanks girl for all your love and supporting me throughout my blogging journey!
DeleteWow! You had some great co-workers. I understand why you are sad to leave them. But I know you are going to grow your business so much more now that you will be working on it full-time :)
ReplyDeleteYes they were great! I'm glad I'll still get to see them often. Thanks Sonya so much!
DeleteOh Louida, I do enjoy your blog, but welcome to the Faith Walk as my blog and online TV show talks about. You're on the path now sister. I did it in 2008 and it is some kind of an exciting adventure. You're equal to the task. https://faithjourneynow.wordpress.com/ and THE FAITH WALK TV SHOW at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCem-lfAttPDjzgw_8Y8-UXA
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I started blogging back in 2008. I'm glad I stuck with it and turned my hobby into a business.
DeleteGood luck on your new adventure!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteCongrats to you for taking the leap because many can't or won't. You did that. I cried too when I left Publix it was one of the best companies to work for and I haven't found one that matched it. A company like that doesn't exist often so kudos to them for treating you with so much love
ReplyDeleteI love shopping at Publix. Their employees look like they enjoy their jobs which shows in their job performance.
DeleteThis is so phenomenal. I love that there are great people and employers around. This story brings me so much joy. Wishing you many continued successes. You will continue to do well.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Reginia!
DeleteYou are such an inspiration. I'm on that same journey right now. I'm relocating to follow my dreams and the hardest thing is leaving the people who have been such a blessing to me and my kids over the years. God is obviously blessing you so keep doing what you do.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy that I'm a inspiration to you Ms. Dee! I see it as me leaving the nest to spread my wings and fly to my destiny. You keep following your dreams and God will continue to show you the way.
DeleteWhat a blessing! I am certain because you honored your former job in this way that God will bless your endeavors.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteI wish you nothing but the best. Your tenacity is an inspiration. And by the way my wife,daughter and I LOVE the Atl. We are trying to move there within the next few years. Be blessed!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Frank!!! ATL will welcome you with open arms!
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