Sleeping peacefully, Teri wakes up refreshed.  She gets ready for work and makes it there early.  Since she does not have to stop by daycare, Teri is one of only a handful of people there.  It is a gloomy looking day.  A hazy drizzle leaves a dark overcast, which shuts out the sun.  It feels like a day layoffs would happen on.  Teri feels peaceful overall, but the unknown makes her feel a little queasy.  Instead of going straight to her desk, she stops in the break area and buys a hot breakfast.  She sits there and eats it all.  Several people have the same idea.  By the time she finishes, the check out line has grown very long. 

Not feeling very sociable, she goes back to her desk and cuts on her computer.  First checking her email to see if she has gotten any replies to any of her job inquiries—no one has replied.  Sitting back in her chair, she starts her daily routine.  Checking her voicemail she hears a message stating that she needs to check into their largest meeting area with her manager today at 9.  As soon as she hears it her heart drops, feeling like she is going to be sick.  Teri has to speak in tongues just to make it through.  She has a little less than two hours until it will turn 9.  “Out of all of the days for me to come in early,” she says aloud grieved by the time. 

Teri decides to do her work.  The time always flies by quickly when she is working.  It works, although her coworkers think she is crazy as they watch her pull and create reports and pass them out.  She just smiles at their remarks and keeps going.  She does not want to get pulled into their gloom and doom attitude.  While passing out her reports, Teri does hear that there are two meeting times--one at 8 and another at 9.  Immediately her mind goes racing, on what it all meant.  Her first thought was that the later time would be better, but the Jeanne, the person who she overheard speaking about the two times is selected to meet at 8.  Everyone knows that she is extremely valuable.  She is one of two specialists--Cathy being the other specialist.  She has been with the company longer than Cathy, basically during its inception.  She is very knowledgeable and although she is very opinionated, she is always right--always.  Even the new upper management teams know of her accuracy.  So Teri feels sick again as she thinks about the two times. 

After hearing Jeanne speak with such confidence, Teri can not work anymore.  So she gets up and goes for a walk, trying to keep clear of everyone.  In twenty minutes it will turn 8 and she will know what is happening.  Teri goes into an empty meeting room and begins to speak in tongues, trying to keep herself calm.  It works, the huge rock she feels residing in her stomach slowly goes away leaving only a few butterflies.  She looks at the wall clock in the meeting room.  It is ten minutes until 8.   

“God please help me!”  Teri says as she closes her eyes.  She can hear people heading to their specified meeting rooms.  Teri decides to leave just in case someone sees her and they think she is spying.  As ridiculous as that is, Teri gets up and quickly goes back to her desk.  She covers her face with her hands and continues to pray, which after some time makes her feel at peace.  Although her stomach is still in knots, Teri feels more calm when she prays.  Talking to God makes her feel less scared.  She looks at the phone and sees that there is a voice message.  Automatically she picks up and is about to check it, but the feeling in her stomach grows stronger, so she decides to go get something to snack on before listening. 

As she walks to the break area, Teri begins to pray openly.  She does not care if she looks strange.  Actually, no one really notices because they too are caught up in their own fears.  Except one woman who is walking the opposite way.  She hears Teri praying and states, “now that’s a good idea!” and begins praying too.  Teri smiles, picking up her spirits.  Walking through the diverse sections in the break area, she goes to the vending machines looking for a candy high. 

Breakfast is over so all there is are the vending machines.  Teri goes to each one looking for the perfect snack.  She finally settles on some candy.  She quickly opens it, and takes a bite.  Each sweet bite tastes so good she leans on the machine and eats the whole thing.  As soon as she is done she wants another.  Digging in her pocket for more change she pulls out a note that she has left herself.  It has diverse scriptures on it she will be able to speak if she is fired and is feeling down.

Letting out a deep breath, she sticks everything back in her pocket, and very slowly begins walking back to her desk.  “God, I really do not want to find another job right now, I know you’ll take care of me regardless, but I just don’t want to lose my job right now.”  She looks up and lets out a deep breath, it is thirty minutes until 9.  Praying and talking to God is the only thing that keeps Teri calm as she goes back to her desk and gets prepared.  If she is asked to leave she wants to make sure that she has everything!  She already has one box full of her personal things sitting under her desk.  Not wanting to have to take the time to put things together, she just wants to leave as soon as possible. 

Looking through her emails one more time, to see if there are any replies to her job requests.  Still nothing!  Hearing some of the other people leaving to go to the meeting room, Teri just sits there.  The rock in her stomach turns into a boulder, presses on her insides as the butterflies flutter about.  Finally she says, “Okay God!  I know that you have everything under control, but my stomach is still in knots.”  She looks around one last time.  She reaches in her desk and pulls out her purse.  “Jesus, I really do not know what else I should say, but I do trust you.  Help me!” 

Slowly Teri gets up speaking in tongues and walking to the meeting room.  Everything seems a blur as she walks.  Even though several people are walking with her, Teri feels completely alone!  When she arrives, the room is already getting full.  Everyone has the same nervous look on their faces.  For the first time, Teri looks at everyone and notices just how human they all are.  Their life is written all over their anxious stares, as everyone knows that in the next few moments their families will also be affected.  It is extremely humbling!  Teri finds a seat in the middle back and waits. 

As soon as it turns 9, they begin.  The president of the company stands up and walks to the podium.  He pulls at the microphone and begins speaking very professionally.  “Good morning everyone.  As you all know today is a very difficult day for all of us.  Decisions had to be made and I would like to stress that although some people will no longer be with us, it has nothing to do with their character or work ethics.  Today is a day that our company is reorganizing for the future of our company.  Please hand out the sheets now.”  He waits as several managers pass out reorganization sheets. 

“This is a high level of our new structure.  There are still some areas that are not complete, but I want everyone to feel fully vested in this process so I decided to let everyone peek in through the window to see what has been happening.  As you can probably see, I am no longer going to be president.  I am moving to another company within our parent company.  Therefore, I would like to welcome your new president Mr. Michaels.  He was our C.F.O. but he is now going to expand his horizon by working with us or should I say you. ”

Stunned Teri’s mouth drops as she clap her hands with everyone else.  Looking at the sheet the company reorganization seems outrageous.  Everything is going to be different!  Then Teri realizes that she is staying!  She sees her position on the paper and a gigantic smile creeps over her face as she really begins to cheer.  Others catch on as well and begins to cheer loudly too.  The new president just smiles and waits until everyone calms down before commenting.  “Well I’d like to believe that, that ovation is just for me and the wonderful work that has been done with the reorganization but I understand that it is probably is due to the fact that everyone here is still going to be working at this fine company.”  The people that are still too shell shocked to realize what is happening finally begin to cheer, making everyone cheer including the various directors all over again. 

Mr. Michaels is a very dynamic speaker.  He engages the already receptive audience and tells them about his history, including his prior position as the CFO at the corporate office.  Then he speaks about his expectations, and future goals.  “And this is why the reorganization might look extremely strange.  This is now a new company with new ideas and goals.  I will love to say that you are all here because you are the best of the best, but that would be disrespectful to your former coworkers.  Therefore, I will end by saying that I’d love for everyone to put their best foot forward to improve our company and prove our sustainability in a very volatile market.  Thank you!”

The crowd cheers loudly for him again.  The former president picks back up the microphone and tells everyone to meet with their old managers and everyone will be directed to the correct place.  “And if you do not see your manager please stay seated and your new manager will come get you.”  Teri is absolutely thrilled!  She appreciated the cheering, which let her release of all of her pint up tension.  The atmosphere in the room is electrifying and extremely uplifting. 

Cathy finds Teri and gives her the biggest hug as she exclaims.  “I can not believe I made it.  My deductive reasoning told me I am too old, been here too long, and I am paid too much to still be around!”  Teri embraces her back.  The tension they had regarding keeping their jobs seemed to completely melt away in their hug.  When they let each other go, Cathy wipes a tear from her face.  Teri smiles with teary eyes as well.  Cathy’s comments, “I can not wait to tell Sister Kelly and the group.”  Seeing her director Cathy quickly hugs Teri again and thanks Teri for telling her about the weekly meetings.  She leaves saying they have to sit next to each other when the weekly meetings start back up.

Teri feels so good that when she finds her manager she hugs her too.  “I am so happy!”  Teri says as she looks around.  Her manager smiles and asks her to wait beside her.  When everyone is gathered next to the manager, she tells everyone about their new location in the building.  “In the next few weeks we will be moving, but for right now, everyone will stay in their old locations.  Right now it is business as usual, but tomorrow we will have an update meeting and then we will have our official meeting next week Monday at 10.  I realize that everyone wants to celebrate but I really need everyone to do as our new president recommended; put your best foot forward, we have tons of work to catch up on to make sure that our business does not suffer during this transition.  There is a lot of work that has already suffered and we need to pick up the pieces ASAP.  Thank you and let’s get started team!”  Everyone cheers then heads back to their desks. 

Teri is thrilled!  She goes to her desk and begins to work where she left off.  She checks her email.  Finally there is a response.  It is not a very appealing position, but at least she is wanted, with an opportunity to be interviewed.  Then she checks her voicemail her manager wanted to talk with her after the meeting.  Before checking the rest of the messages, Teri quickly gets up and goes out to find her manager.  “Hello Teri, I was wondering where you went.  Come with me.”  They go into her office.  “Teri our division is going to be expanded and I recommended you for a managerial position.  I have always watched your hard work and dedication but I know that you have always stayed away from this type of position.  I don’t know why?  You have all the potential and skills to make an excellent manager.”  Teri is taken back, stunned by the news. 

Her manager continues, “I was going to talk to you about it last week, but everything has been so hectic and I was not sure if you would take the position.  So, you can take the time you need to decide.”  Her manager smiles, “Of course I would appreciate it if I know before Monday’s meeting or at least before we move out of this location.  I really believe in your character and standards, even this morning I saw you passing out the reports that you created; making me feel even better about my decision.  Teri we really will need your innovative thinking.  When I heard you speak during our first staff reorganization meeting, I knew that you are definitely a go getter and I hoped that you will be willing to help partner up with me to make our department one that will be an invaluable benefit to the company.” 

  Teri can not hide her astonishment.  “Wow, I never expected this!  Getting a promotion in the midst of layoffs?  Wow!”  Teri is sitting on the edge of her chair.  “It’s not that I didn’t want a higher position, it’s just that I did not feel that I have enough education to get a managerial position.”  Glad about Teri’s happy attitude, yet understanding her hesitations her manager responds, “Well, the company has put a hold on certain benefits like educational reimbursements, but I can still ask to see what else can be done.  But remember this, your on the job education has already prepared you.”  Automatically Teri thanks God out loud and shakes her managers hand.  “That would really be great.  Thank you!!”

Her manager asks if they can meet at 8 on Monday to discuss things before the staff meeting.  Teri agrees and goes back to her desk.  Overjoyed, Teri goes to her car and shouts moves about letting out all of her energy.  Then she calls LaQueia, Ginny and Sister Kelly.  She is not able to get any of them so she leaves a voice message.  She calls a couple of the other ladies that are in their core group, including the one taking care of Christopher.  They are all happy for her.  One asks how much of a raise it will be?  “I was so shocked I did not even ask!”  Things have turned out better than she could have hoped for.  Teri just wanted to keep her job--she never expected a promotion.  Before getting out of the car she gives God praises again and then goes back to her desk and although she works hard the rest of the day, she does not feel overworked-just needed and appreciated!