I haven’t blogged in 3 years because my life took another major change.

Three years ago I got a telephone call from a lawyer I know.  They needed a bookkeeper right away as their bookkeeper has breast cancer.  Would I step in and help?  Of course I would.

My husband John had enjoyed working with this bookkeeper.  He talked to her regularly because she had her hands full dealing with this lawyer.  This lawyer is headstrong and likes to be in charge.  He has quite the temper and snaps at his staff.  When he wants something he wants it immediately.  But he was a very good friend of John’s and spent a great deal of time with him while he was dying.  He stopped here on his at home and would sit and talk to John or read him passages from the bible.  John was not religious but he listened with great patience.

The six months were expanded as the treatment progressed and at the two year mark the old bookkeeper decided not to return. Her treatment was successful but she decided it was time to leave there. She and I became good friends over time.

The job had evolved from just being the bookkeeper but managing the office. Major renovations were done in the building and I oversaw them. Major changes occurred with the older lawyer moving to a separate floor and the younger lawyer spreading his wings to take over. A stressful time but also a busy time where I lost myself in the job instead of my grief.

Just over a year ago when Joanne (the old bookkeeper) decided not to return I decided to train someone that already worked for the firm. She was very unhappy working in the department she was in (real estate) and she is a natural to be the office manager/bookkeeper.

And then just as we started to train the pandemic started.