Bummed

There's no other word for it. We were bummed yesterday. Maybe being so soon after losing someone in our own little world at a young age and again in a way that seems to make no sense, it's very sad. Another kid growing up without a dad, another family torn apart.

I think I read every news wire's report about it thinking one of them would have information that might explain why - something I couldn't do last month. But none of them had any answers. And even if they did, I doubt it would help. I keep thinking it will, but in the end, they're just gone - nothing changes that.

And again, time will move on.

WTF, Heath?

Dead at 28? What the hell is going on?

Loved Lords of Dogtown, because of Heath. What a shame.

Sadful

Got home from work today and felt totally empty and depressed, like someone had died. With Cameron, Jeff, Julie, Shauna and now Christina gone and Miriam transitioning out of the group, I realized there will be no one left to hand things down to.

A few people have come & gone in the past couple of years, but there has always been an intact group to carry on. All the institutional knowledge and folklore that isn't documented anywhere is passed on so the group can successfully continue in its role.

And toys - "inherited" silly toys, pictures and trinkets decorate the area - little mementos to remind us of former teammates. Like Michael's Grand Marshall name plate and the picture of our mascot, Bob. Pictures of Lewis on a surf trip. Julie's play-doh sea monster sculpture. Jeff's checkered table cloth desk. It will all be left behind and no one will remember our names or what we did.

It won't be long before we're all gone. For the first time since the group was started five years ago, the department will cease to exist. Decimated. At a company with plenty of ongoing revenue and resources.

And it was confirmed this week that the reason for the re-org was to motivate one person to leave. Instead of dealing with the issue directly, an entire group was treated like furniture and moved around without any regard for who we are, what we do, and how the group needs to function to be successful.

One stupid move destroyed a highly-productive, valuable group. Will those responsible ever stand up and admit their mistake? Not likely. They act like it was just a natural cycle of some sort. What a huge disappointment.