2 cents . . .

Dear Christine,

Three days ago you laid my dad off. You said you were "eliminating his position" due to the "economy". I didn't write you this letter earlier because, to be honest, I was so fucking angry with you, I couldn't even think straight. Don't get me wrong, I'm still seething, but I'm now at a point where I can form words and there are a few things I'd like to say to you.

My dad worked for you for thirty years. Thirty years, he gave you his loyalty, his time, his blood, sweat and tears. He went on service calls in the middle of the night, traveled out of state, presented training sessions and worked before and after hours. He worked for your dad and your husband before you. And when they died, within a year of each other and you were constantly gone, he gave you his sympathy and he helped run the company. THEN, when you didn't have a man in your life, he helped you move and performed odd jobs around your house. When the company bought a new building and didn't have the money for lawn care, he took care of that too. For THIRTY YEARS. Then, you decided to let him go. Although you decided this last weekend, there was another job for him to do. He needed to go to Illinois, and work 22 hours in two days to complete a job that no one else there knows how to do. Then, when he came in Wednesday, you let him go in the middle of the day, with no opportunity for severance, and absolutely no respect. Then, as cowards do, you ran away and left the building.

When I think about how he must have felt. . . how betrayed, disrespected and alone he must have felt, as he sat across from you in his office as you told him that he was now unemployed, I feel physically ill. And then I feel an anger beyond anything I've ever felt -- and it's your fault. I know he'll be fine. In fact, I honestly believe that my dad is better off not working for you, but I wanted it to be on his terms.

You obviously didn't realize this but my dad is one of the most amazing men you'll ever know. I know most women say that about their dad, but this is different. I have never been a "daddy's girl" and I'm not spoiled in the materialistic sense, but my father is the most selfless, warm, kind, compassionate, hard working man I know. His work ethic is beyond that of anyone I've ever known. He's never drank, smoked, been lazy or shirked his duties. He brought my mom's mom into our home when she was dying and moved into his own mother's home for a week in her final days. He takes care of everyone around him. You will never understand how much it angers me that you didn't take care of him. That you didn't allow him the opportunity and the stability to do what he does best.

Like I said, he'll be fine. But I sincerely hope that you realize what you've done -- while the economy is certainly in bad shape, I am certain that it is not at fault for your company doing poorly. I blame no one but you. People were let go before him and still others have left voluntarily . . . paychecks have bounced, jobs have been lost -- and YOU are the common factor. So, while my dad will move on, and with the support of those who love him, will go on to be successful at another job, with another company, you will continue to fail. And as most cowards and failures do, I'm sure you'll blame something or someone else . . . but I will know . . . this is simply you, getting what you deserve.

*While the events of this letter are true, I changed the recipients name (at Dad's request) and I am NOT actually sending this letter. . . it was merely done to make me feel a little better.
**I've also been told (by my mother, of course) that this letter is unnecessarily harsh. Please don't judge me for being angry . . . I typically don't wish for bad things to happen to people, and needed a productive outlet for my anger.