Time to move on

Big changes are happening at the Taylor household. Not only are we moving along on our kitchen remodel, but I have been offered a new job. For as long as I can remember I have been working at the restoration company. My boss and his wife have treated me more like a son then an employee. The big problem, is because it's such a small business they can't offer insurance or retirement benefits, the larger of the two is the lack of insurance. We all know how much I need medical insurance. When the reserves medically release me, the insurance I have right now will more then likely go with it. As you have probably figured out this is not a good situation.

A couple of months ago a head hunter called me and wanted me to interview for a general managers position at another restoration company. I told them at that time there was no way I would leave my company for another restoration company. I really did feel that way. I have had other offers while I have been out meeting other restoration companies. Most of them would have payed me more, but my boss has been too good for me to leave.

While I was deployed at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center I truly loved the work I was doing. I didn't necessarily love taking care of my kids (the Soldiers in my section), but supporting the hospital was one of those feel good jobs. As soon as I got back from my deployment I started looking for a logistics job within a hospital. Finally last month a job opened up at the VA Hospital here in Salt Lake. The job description was essentially the same as what I was doing at Landstuhl, a lead position in a logistics section. I didn't think I would get the job but applied anyway. I suspected that they would hire from within the VA due to experience. During the interview my suspicion was confirmed. The lady told me that they were looking at four applicants and I was the only one from the "outside" being considered. As I left the office I truly believed I wouldn't get the job.

Thinking I was not going to get the job made it easier for me to sleep at night. I was terrified to tell my boss I had a job interview. If you did not know my boss he seems to be the nicest guy on the planet and in many ways he is, but once you get to know him and all the nuances that he has when he is upset, you would know why I was concerned to tell him. Looking back I probably should have told him I was looking for another job. My concern was he and his wife don't take that kind of news very well. They have a way of letting you know they are displeased without even talking to you. I couldn't bare dealing with that for a large amount of time, so I choose to keep quite.

The Friday after the interview I received a phone call from the VA. They offered me the position! Feelings of joy and terror went through my body. I was happy they had chosen me. It was just the job I was looking for. A logistics job in a hospital and to top it off, it was a federal job, oh the benefits! The terror was right there with the happiness. I had no ideas how to tell my boss I had accepted the position. The next few nights I tossed and turned in bed. I thought that maybe I had made the wrong decision. My boss was going to be pissed! The next couple of days at work I tried mustering up the courage to tell him. Every time I went to do it I chickened out. I had lost my appetite and wasn't sleeping. My family and I had the same thought, I could not turn this opportunity down.

Finally at lunch on the second day I bit the bullet and sat down in my bosses office. He turned from his computer. I was sick to my stomach, but had to tell him. I explained that he and his wife were like a second family to me, but this position at the VA was to good to pass up. His face went red and that vein on his forehead popped out. He listen to me and finally asked "when do you start?" I told him two and a half weeks. He turned around and went back to work on the computer. It has been a week and that was the last thing he really said to me. He has asked a few things about the last of my jobs, but nothing else. His wife hasn't said a word. Nothing, not a good morning, a good night, not a peep. As I sit typing, the place is silent. You could cut the tension with a knife. Luckily only a few more days of this. I thought I had a hard time coming to work before, but now it is dreadful. I have enjoyed working for the restoration company, my boss and his wife are good people, some of the best I have ever met. They have taken good care of me, but it is time for a change. I am very excited for the new job. Of course there is a nervousness that comes with it. I am a little worried the three people that interviewed for the job will hold a grudge. I will have to rely on my leadership qualities to make this situation work. I've been in this situation before in the military, and have made it through.

I should probably get back to collecting money from my jobs. This is my only responsibility until I leave. I really don't know how collection agents can do this all day.