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She Remembered Me (Christopher's Challenge)
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She Remembered Me (Christopher's Challenge) |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
Catherine carried boxes from her desk, shut off the computer, and looked around the library one last time. For nearly two years, she had worked, sacrificed, bled, cried with tears of anticipation for the goals she pursued here. She struggled through the brunt of deadlines, attempting to reenter the workforce after being home so many years. Tears of wondering "Am I good enough" she thought she was, hoped she was. Now, the corporate wheel had ground her into dust. Her spirit bruised beyond recognition, barely able to withstand yet another battle. "Someone told me to never surrender!" Catherine pondered. "Still, the battle is over, I can't do this any longer, they say I'm not good enough" One shining light from the experience was a young girl, her own daughter's age, who never gave up on her. Someone with fire, bubbling over with life and laughter who simply accepted her for who she was. The friendship was radiant perfection, the two of them shared, and Catherine began to bloom from a shell of a woman into someone vibrant. Now, she was leaving. With her honor and her dignity intact. Closing the door behind her she reached for the picture over her desk that read "Faith is the substance of things hoped for...the evidence of things not seen" Her eyes filled with tears, her body shook, she ran to the car. "I won't cry, I won't give them the satisfaction." Catherine left. In the months that followed she tried job after job, not enjoying the perks of an office, where she had respect from her co-workers, but once sitting in a cold warehouse, falling into a box for lack of desk, no phone, no respect for herself. Followed by other attempts to fit in, yet in another place, and then another. "I'm failing, I'm going backward, I miss my friend, Korine...God, I miss her, she's moved on and I know, I may never see her again" Catherine would cry and try yet again to find a place where she could rebuild her esteem. Was there truly a place where she mattered? One job called her downtown. Through the rain, she lost her bearings, lost her parking place, shoving and moving against masses of people, and for what? A one week assignment....and then home again to wait for the temp agency to call and yet another quest for employment. "Work for truck drivers? No way!" Catherine tried, it was awful, degrading, smelly and horrible. She left that day, in tears, and wondered how in the world she would ever achieve what she thought she had. Nothing is certain in business, the personal love she gave the library was futile. The holidays came and the New Year. Another chance!!! She worked hard at a 5 week task, completing it to perfection, and she was good. One day they brought in a computer and her hopes soared. "They like me, they are going to keep me, something permanent." "Catherine, thank you so much for your help, do you mind moving out into the hall, the new girl is coming in today, and oh, by the way, tomorrow is your last day, you were terrific....so nice working with you." The drive home that day was unbearable. The burden on her so great she nearly caved into despair. Yet, she returned to finish the last day, because she had given her word. One more temp opportunity, a one week assignment before a vacation she had planned and paid for for months earlier. During that week, her cell phone rang...."Catherine, Catherine are you still looking for a job?" a familiar voice rang out. Catherine froze. The one person who gave her friendship without question, lifted her up when she needed it, asked nothing and gave volumnes. "Yes, yes I am." her heart nearly stopped. "Guess what!! I'm office manager now and well, I need an assistant, and are you interested?" Korine's voice rang with excitement. Catherine bowed her head to a blessing. Walking into the office that day, she noticed Korine had changed somewhat, a little more matured, married now, beautiful office, and an empty one to the side. A computer, a telephone, fax machine and.....dignity. Her new office. Offering 30 hours a week, affording her time to do the one thing she longed for...to write. And write without tears of pain. Someone had remembered her. Someone had reached in and pulled her up when she was too weak to fight any longer. Catherine is happier than she has ever been in 2 years., because she is working not only with her self respect intact, but she's working with a friend. Someone she influenced, not realizing that in giving, she would receive such an abundance of joy. A friend, who now was her "boss" one she knew she would never let down. Catherine had found place where she mattered. (I didn't have to think about this challenge, every word is true, and it felt wonderful to write of it [This message has been edited by Irish Rose (edited 05-21-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Kathleen - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Dawn Eclipse Senior Member
since 2000-01-31
Posts 637The Horsehead Nebula |
well written piece! "Even a fool knows you can't touch the stars, but it doesn't stop a wise man from trying." Harry Anderson, "Night Court" *Cassandra Roseen* |
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Dusk Treader
Moderator
Senior Member
since 1999-06-18
Posts 1187St. Paul, MN |
Congratulations on getting tha job, Kathleen! The strength you possessed to keep trying for that job is admirable, especially in the face of all that adversity. Great writing. Abrahm Simons "A dream unthreatened by the morning light Could blow this soul right through the roof of the night" - Pink Floyd, "Learning To Fly" |
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WolfsMate Member
since 2000-01-14
Posts 121New York |
Well done!  "You never have to worry...Never fear for I am near" |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
Kathleen, This really brings out the greatness in the act of giving... Nicely worded, and efficiently written... Thanks for posting... [Ouch, have to be a bit impolite, but could you take out the centering of the words please? Thanks for that too....] Regards, sudhir. < !signature--> Life is like a painting, That in an art gallery is left hanging, Though many come just to look at it, A very few actually come to enjoy it. [This message has been edited by Sudhir Iyer (edited 05-21-2000).] |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Congratulations indeed. I'm glad you found your niche. |
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netswan Senior Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 1369Washington |
Oh, my, Kathleen, what a tear jerker. Wonderful read - I was worried about the woman going through all those jobs, you had me wrapped in. OH LOVE happy endings. I believe that woman is you. ~netswan |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
thank you all for your comments., and of course it's me, I only changed the names, believe me, I'm settled and I didn't list every job I attempted. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Kathleen indy31_99@yahoo.com |
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