My pg co-worker mass e-mailed everyone this morning. I barely glanced at the header before opening the message -- & then recoiled. The header read, "They say that I'm having a baby...." & inside were the words "...GIRL!!"
Immediately everyone started "replying all" with congratulations. I bowed my head & felt tears stinging my eyes. All I could think was "well, of COURSE she's having a girl." I KNEW it. But I was surprised how much it still hurt. Still. 10 years later.
I managed to compose myself & even fired off an e-mail of my own saying, "It's the pink influence." (Her favourite colour is pink, a source of many jokes around the office.)
Sigh.
Shit. It's always a girl when I get them too. I'm so sorry.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori - sorry you got hit with that news today. I guess it depends on the nature of the particular workplace, but it would be hard for me to imagine sending out a mass email to all my co-workers with a personal announcement like that. And then all the "reply all's" too - blech!
ReplyDeleteAnyway (((hugs))) to you...
I'm sending you hugs Lori. You'd think that there must be an age when you are safe from the baby thing, but I guess not ... and how gruelling that it hits you on the "10 years ago" front. I wish people had more of a clue, some sensitivity. They'd still be living their lives but it would be a bit easier.
ReplyDeleteAndie
I'm sorry Loribeth. Thinking of you and a perfect Katie in heaven.
ReplyDeleteI wish the timing of her pregnancy didn't have to coincide so much with yours...I'm sure it makes it that much harder. I'm sorry, Loribeth. :( I wish the pain would ease with time...but I guess it can come back in sharp pangs too.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you...
Ugh Lori - I'm so sorry. They brandish this information with rapier precision. Did anyone at the office who knows you give you a hug?
ReplyDeleteSending you lots of hugs and wishes of comfort and strength for the rest.
so sorry, loribeth. what's the deal with the "reply all"? there out to be a law. there's just no need for that. maybe you could pull a PJ and talk to HR?
ReplyDeleteWhat a sucker punch only to be pummeled in the wake of it with the "reply to alls."
ReplyDeleteCurses on all of them...GRRRR. (Yes, I'm in a mood today.)
Loribeth, I am so sorry. The reply all should be removed from people's emails.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry. Mass email announcements are just annoying, as is "Reply all." You did your part. And now you deserve whatever space you need.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. No one deserves that kind of painful ambush.
ReplyDeletexo
.:Sigh:.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry Loribeth. And triple ugh!
ReplyDelete(((())))
Alacrity
I have to add to what ginya said. In my office "Reply to All" is forbidden and they are pretty strict about it. (it clogs up the email). And to send such a personal announcment to everyone? Geez. It's not like everybody cares. I think people who do that are awfully self-centered. I only tell, in person, a few people I know who actually care when I have any kind of news. I am sorry that happened. And 10 years is not a long time. When I think of things that were going on in my life 10 years ago it feels like so short of a time so I can only begin to imagine how fresh your pain still is.
ReplyDeleteStinging. Just stinging. I am so sorry.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting tired of going to pink parties. I can't take anymore
ReplyDelete