An Old Geezer Has Been My Life And Career Mentor

The naughty in me brings me to this register. A woman needs to read and feel a thrill with what is prohibited. It's my source of self gratification. But today I will talk about something else. Coming of age as a woman. Because I'm thinking of him.

That expression about coming of age always haunted me. What did it mean? So this is a bit about coming of age, crossing a line into a more adult world. I got certified right after college. When a position came up for internal transfer to Bern, the HQ for Africa I applied. The position required traveling in and out if Africa, and usually lasted two years before being transferred back to Chicago or another 'location'. For me it meant EUROPE, the price was Africa.

The VP over everything called me in, up and up, the private elevator, the huge waiting room, the perfectly dressed 'ladies' who ran interference for their bosses. I was shown to a small conference room and waited and waited. The 'battle ax' secretary brought me water and told me it would be a little longer. By the time he walked in, with an HR representative, I felt so small, so tiny before him. Like I felt with my grandfather.

He asked me why I wanted to consider a posting for Africa? I said I wanted foreign experience. He told me that in spite of HR he was old school and he had been there. As long as he was the ramrod no woman would go to Africa. Sorry, he wanted me to hear it from him. He had daughters. The HR lady was stiff, angry really. I was relieved, here was a man who cared, and he was willing to take the heat for his beliefs. Again, Grandpa sat in front of me.

We had a chit chat, personal questions, questions HR hated. Was I married? Engaged? A boyfriend? Was my family close, did we celebrate Christmas. Did I want children? I answered honestly, talking to Grandpa was easy. He laughed and told me I was good stalk, what America needed. The HR woman squirmed in her seat. He walked me out with his arm around my shoulders.

I understood why he ran everything, why HR hated him. I loved him, I knew he would take care of me, a tiny little pebble. I grew up a little that day, and when it was my turn in the barrel I shot straight with staff and employees and HR hated it. For the years we worked together I was always on a first name basis. He was my Godfather at my wedding, he is 'the man' who made my career worthwhile. All I can say is God stood with me, and put me straight into the hands of my mentor.