years past
Today I had the privilege of having lunch with Fraser’s colleagues. I’ve heard their names (only in a good context of course) and met some….but not all. There are still more to meet but how wonderful to hear stories and get to see who Fraser spent many of his hours with. His work family.
Back when there were Christmas parties (I miss those) I enjoyed going simply to put faces to people’s names. To be perfectly honest, aside from maybe one or two colleagues, Fraser rarely spoke ill of his colleagues. If he was frustrated with them he would rarely use their names (I was likely never going to meet some of these people, but he felt it was kinder…and it was). He took courses and read many books on Leadership and sometimes he would even try to apply them in our Home office.
No, seriously!! He actually thought that might work! I never was good at having a manager…and certainly didn’t marry for that! And, I mean, he knew me…didn’t he?! Yahhh….being managed isn’t really my ‘thing’. Lmao
When I would feel Manager Fraser trying to take over I would ‘look’ at
him. Sometimes, you don’t even need to be married that long, but 29 years and we were well seasoned…you know the look. One raised eyebrow (I am so glad I taught myself how to do that in my teens) and that spoke volumes. Fraser had the best RBF (resting bitch face) and that’s HIS own description. He took pride in it. And why not?! Who was going to argue with him (besides me) or challenge him (besides me) or call him on it (besides me)….oh, hang on. Shit! He used to say, and I was reminded at lunch, ‘That sounds like a you problem’…maybe it WAS a me problem?! Erm….oops!
Sorry Fraser…but, you knew who you were marrying. And so did I. And we kept choosing each other…and that is why we made it this far. You kept me balanced and I…kept you on your toes (weird analogy when it was I who was often on my toes for a kiss). And together we shared some wonderful parts that life offered us.
Fraser really did enjoy his job. Not ALL of it of course, but enough to go back day in and day out. I would try to check in every now and then and ask him if he was happy at his job (sometimes maybe he got a bit grumpy). For the most part, the part worth staying for, he was happy. That made a difference. Life is too short to hate what you’re doing. Fraser enjoyed his work and those he worked with…like at least 92.4% of the time. What a blessing.
Fraser kept his private and personal life very separate…and that takes skill. And the notes I’ve received from many of his colleagues tells me how missed he is going to be by more than just his family and close friends. He has left some big shoes to replace…size 15 to be exact…and that’s not being sizeist (Fraser used that term often), it’s just a fact.
xo, Brooke
The people I worked with often became my very close friends. At thought they all were but you find out more after you leave. Anyhow.... it's very difficult to lose a member of your work family. I feel bad for Fraser's work family. He would be a great leader and a friend. It will be difficult for them to fill that void. I am surprised that he kept his work and private lives so separate. But I can now totally get his respectfulness of his co-workers, and maybe he wanted to keep you to himself and not muddy you time and family time with work time. As I think of it now, maybe that's one of his more gentlemanly qu…