I Am The New Charlie

I am The New Charlie.

I have been introducing myself as The New Charlie for the past three weeks.

The universe has brought me new adventure.  New hope.  New dreams.

I feel my mother's presence on the west side of campus.  I blow kisses to her out to the sea on my breaks. 

Life is peaceful here.  Even tranquil despite the hectic work day.  Yes, I know my mother played a hand in finally being offered a preferential rehire job.

The whole process finally became seamless this last time.  The fit was perfect.  My past three jobs here at the university gave me everything I would need to succeed in this new endeavor.  I even made them laugh.

They took me under their wing and gave me new hope for my future.  A future not being spent in limbo wondering if I would ever find a job during these difficult economic times.  The job came shortly after I finally made complete peace with the layoff from last spring.  Finally forgot about the old office.  Finally gave up that they would never call me back to my old job.

The universe shifted that day.  

All along Charlie was planning to retire.

But I wonder if he knew that in the end of his career, his final gift would be helping me.

I have big shoes to fill.  Charlie's shoes spent 18 years behind my new desk.  Dozens of staff and hundreds of students who know his name.  They stop by the counter to chat like they used to with Charlie.  

The counter is like a corner store with the jovial maintenance crew who pop their heads in from the rain for a joke or two.  I will work hard to keep up the friendly banter he had with everyone here.  He made everyone feel welcome, and I have perfected the same talent in the last eleven years.  

I look forward to being The New Charlie.  I may even put out a candy bowl to encourage others to step up to the counter to say hello even if they do not have a question for me.  

I thank Charlie each day I arrive for work.  He embarked on his retirement adventure after so many years of service leaving the pathway for me to embark on mine.

The sun shines bright this winter as I start my new life.

Because I am The New Charlie!