#SOL16 9/31 What I'm Glad I Missed

SOLC #9/31 - 

      I'm slicing with the Two Writing Teachers community for Day Nine of Thirty-One of the Slice of Life Challenge in March.  Thank you Stacey, Tara, Anna, Betsy, Dana, Kathleen, Beth, and Deb.  

             I sat with my tax accountant for over two hours yesterday. (My taxes are complicated.) But this is not about taxes; it’s about the office. I sat high in an office building with a lonely reception area larger than my house, lovely black leather sofas and chairs, and an online screen that told where one would find the business needed. No one was in the space. The water fountains have a paper cup dispenser by them. I’m guessing so one doesn’t need to bend over? My accountant is "borrowing" an office to meet with clients because he's retired, but kept a few clients. This is a place new to me.

            In the suite of offices, I’m greeted by the receptionist, low friendly voice, who asks if I want water or a soft drink, a Keurig cup of ?, candy or a snack. She says, “He’ll be ready in a moment. 

            It’s so, so quiet. Soon I was trailing my accountant past about five other offices. each occupant leaning over a monitor, doing whatever it is they’re supposed to be doing. Then I sat, while Bob (my accountant of many years) started on his computer with the figures, me handing over each paper needed, then him scanning, and entering, scanning and entering. 

            I had lots of time on my hands. And it was quiet.

          I spent some of that time enjoying the view out the window, took the pictures, watched a few cars going by. There was little traffic, not drive time nor lunch time. I walked back to the receptionist to get a bottle of water. I grabbed the local business newspaper, took it back to browse through. Again, the outer pass through was noise-free, and those inner offices still kept the same people occupied, leaning over their monitors. 

The view. Look at the horizon and you'll see the Rockies.

A slightly different angle. I took it because the small trees below the right
hand building are showing some green!

          And I wondered. How did those people make it through the day, sitting, no clattering feet, no child voices laughing in the hall? Also missing were questions, those "who took my glue, where are the colored pencils, can I have a conference. isn't it time for lunch" voices. Plus the murmur, always the murmur and movement of children learning, playing, moving, smiling at me sometimes, smiling at friends.

          I wondered and I couldn't imagine being in this place all the work day. And I realize that people gain personal satisfaction from many kinds of work. Perhaps a bit of noise sneaks in from time to time, and perhaps these colleagues? converse, perhaps I'm judging too quickly from a few hours' look. But I am positive that none of the things mentioned above ever happen.

  

          I'm very glad I was a teacher.