Update:

Three days there, I still feel really good. I was OK with my scooter in the cold but it is getting even colder and I'm worried about that. I did have them pick me up instead of scootering on Wednesday. It is something I will have to work out.

I'm doing well getting back into the work... doing well with the people, very well, everyone is very glad to have me back. I've been learning about the pandemonium while I was out... it is a department of 5 people (4 full and 1 part time) and while I was out two other ft people in the department got seriously ill with the flu and were out for about a week or maybe two, I think their out time overlapped leaving really only one guy there with some part time help to handle all of the workflow through the entire company. Then one of the guys had a sudden upheaval in his life and had to resign and move to California (the upheaval was bad but the move, I think was about making the best, taking care of himself, and using it as an opportunity to be closer to his daughter and granddaughter). They hired someone else but he is really disliked.

I learned while I was out there was a lot of complaint by others, especially the sales staff. I think they just wanted the boss to let us all go and hire new people to work. They are all about pleasing their customers, can't possibly say "well this will take a few days longer than usual" which I do understand but still, don't be so selfish. The boss sent around a pretty nasty email which I saw, really defending us... saying that this was the whole company's problem, that everyone had to step up and fill the void, and that they should stop acting like "third graders" and stop whining and complaining about it. And stop offering "suggestions" thinking they know best how to run the company. At the end he said "we can fire them all and lose the best graphics team we've ever had, or we can work together to get through this." so that's how I knew it was about us.

I think it had mostly to do with his getting really furious and annoyed with everyone coming to him and second-guessing him... but the sentiment is sincere. I do think he is compassionate enough to consider us as people rather than a way to the bottom line. He also really does appreciate that the current graphics department really works well together... while individual skill is also important, having skilled people who won't work together to solve problems is not a good way to run a company. So I really like that he appreciates that too, and is looking toward the long goals instead of short term.

Hearing about this made me feel really bad and a little guilty about being out, but I have to say only a little tiny bit, which would say, what, that I am doing well with regard to the depression? In no way did that feeling of guilt "erase" how appreciated I felt to be welcomed back so enthusiastically... and from the others in my department they were not only glad to have me back because of my skill and helping with the workload, but they just also missed me personally and my humor.