MAJOR LOSS

If it’s OK to say all hell is breaking loose, then it is. Our maintenance man and his wife, the manager, have turned in their resignation and will leave on July 6th to return to Florida. He is the most skilled maintenance man this place has ever had. She was never given any authority to do anything. No one likes to be micro managed.

Most of us know the real meaning of this pending change. There will be no leadership here at all. The corporate office is a government entity. We are not residents or clients. We are their biggest problem. I learned today that with every complaint that comes to them they hate us just a little more. They are so angry that they say no to everything as a matter of principle. My philosophy has just become it is better to get forgiveness than permission. I know I can sound contrite if necessary.

Managements deafening silence has now grown to a roar. They are angry that some residents already know of the pending departure. They wanted to be able to tell us and control the reaction. Too late! The reaction is anger and growing angrier. It is already believed they were fired. Ridiculous. That would never have happened. They quit because of how they were treated by upper management. Especially how his wife was being treated. She was depressed, hurt, and getting ill often. The husband had to rescue his poor wife. I for one am glad to see a man stand up for his family.

Their resignation was always just a matter of time. She was never appreciated. The final camel back breaking straw came after a meeting he had with the director. He and his wife were out on their nightly walk about two hours after work when he was called to the office immediately. They interrupted the walk and went together. She was tired, had a difficult day and did not smile once while her husband was being corrected. The following day she was called in and chastised for not smiling. The day after that, he turned in his two-week notice. He did not tell his wife until after he did it. That act affirmed his love for her. She loved it. Because she knew he did it for her.

Today they began telling people they were close to of their resignation. They will be deeply missed. We will not know how much they will be missed until a month or two after they are gone. Their departure will be felt. Sheer panic has not set in yet, but will most likely be in full force by Monday or Tuesday, Word will be everywhere by then. The fireworks will begin and most likely continue throughout the month of July.

As for me, I still love this place. With all the crap about to be thrown around I continue to believe most people here are kind. But they are also people who are hurting emotionally and physically. Some are clearly facing end of life issues. Some are lonely. Some are frightened. Some will be lost without someone on the grounds to turn too. One woman locks herself out of her room once or twice a week. The corporation charges $85 to get them back in. She has never been charged and will not be able to afford what will most likely come her way. We know she should not be here, but she is.

I know I cannot make this the Happiest Place on Earth. Disney has that motto sewed up. But I want to do my best to make this a happier place on earth. That’s doable. We lasted a year without on ground help. We planned our own activities, organized our own group meals and created our own outings. We can rise again. Some will see it as rising out of the ashes. If so, lets shake the dust off and get moving.