It’s been a month and a half since I started my job. In that time, four people I would have been working directly with have “moved on.” That’s quite a lot considering there are only about, oh, fifteen or so people I work with. Apparently my stench is more than they can handle.

In a meeting this morning, the general manager – one of the four people I assist – praised us for all of our hard work, told us what wonderful people we are and explained that we’re the reason clients stay with us. Then he broke down, started crying, and announced he had been offered a GM position at another, very appealing property that he had to decide on, pronto.

I honestly felt my heart sink and I sat at that table with my fingernails dug into my palms until they nearly bled to keep from crying. This man is goofy and fun and hard-working and gracious and not perfect (he’s flawed and he acknowledges it – I love it!) and just about the nicest guy I’ve ever been in contact with. And here he was, leaving me. After being there for ten years and completely turning thst hotel around, I had managed to scare him away in just over a month. (Note to self: with income, one can afford deodorant.)

I glanced around and realized I was the only one fighting back tears. Sure, I was probably the only one who didn’t know the news before then, but how could I be the ONLY ONE tearing up when I was the one who had been there the shortest amount of time? I have a policy, unintentional as it may be, and somewhere in that policy it states that no one in my presence can cry alone. Aren’t I kind?

The good news is our fearless leader has decided to stay with us, and I couldn’t be happier. I never knew I could grow so fond of people in such a short period of time, but these people seem to be creeping right into my heart and finding little spots where they can curl up and get cozy. And I’m just fine with them staying there as long as they please. Now I only need to find some way to keep them from skipping town.