I had my work baby shower the other day, (I know what you’re thinking, “How many showers is this girl gonna have?!?) and it was a little reunion of my current coworkers, a lot of who work at home and my ex-coworkers.

Things have changed so much since we were bought out by Company X two years ago (we were then bought by X-Inc last year). We were a little company of only about 35 people, but of those 35 most of the people had been there more than 4 years. We had all been through so much together, good times and bad. Nights out drinking and sharing moments like weddings and baby births. We never realized how great we had it until we got bought by bigger companies.

It was nice to get together again, to sit and reminisce about the good ‘ol days. We truly were a family back then. When most people wouldn’t want to see their coworkers on weekends during their free time, we’d all hang out and party together or go to hockey games together. Sure, there were problems in the officeplace like there are in any office, but we were a support group for each other. We shared what was new with each other, talking about who was in jail for check forgery, who’s out in Qatar doing who knows what, and who is still hiding a secret marriage (come on guys, we ALL knew about it, and we’re happy for you!)

I really miss those times when I’m sitting in the office, with only Johnny and Don to entertain men. That’s about all that’s left in the office nowadays. Sometimes Tyson will come in and Dan, when he’s not doing secret consulting assignments. I guess that’s why I like working at home a lot - there’s nothing much for me at the office, just a reminder of how it used to be. Of course, it’s always nice to come in to have the company at work, even if it is those two knuckleheads. (Just kidding, guys)

It’s much harder to get that feeling of community and family in a bigger company, especially one where everyone is working from home and rarely has time or wants to get together. There are only a handful of people I feel I’ve gotten close to at Company X, and really no one who I’ve formed a bond with at X-Inc - I never see anyone from there. It’s such a different environment it makes me ache for the way it used to be.

But that’s the way it is now, as much as I’m resistant to change, that’s what I have to do to survive.

Thanks so much for the lunch shower ex-X-Systems people (and current coworkers). And to those of you who missed it - Tony, Amy, Kristin, Vlad, Syed, Sammy, Sam, Mary Jane, Cindy, Jerry, Bryan, Dave, Felicia, etc, I missed you terribly. To the members of my new family (yet old now) from Company X - Mardi, Gary, Margaret, and Carole - thanks also…

Tags: Daily //