An open letter to my friends at OptumHealth…
I wrote a simple question in my notebook on my first day at work, nearly four weeks ago.
Can I make a difference in nine weeks?
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this experience and I wondered if the time frame was too narrow for me to even notice any difference being made. And now having learned that my contract has been cut short and that today is my last day, I’m left reflecting on the time I did have working with all of you.
I want to say thank you. It was fun getting to know so many of you. Despite the mountains of work you all bravely encounter daily, you found time to small-talk with me by the copy machines as you waited for Joan/Bev/Barb to be done printing their PQBs. (I’m pretty sure that machine belongs to them!)
Norma, thank you for always being so kind.
Paula, thanks for the pretzels and triscuits.
Cindy/Kaitlyn, thanks for always being so willing to print up more faxes.
Joan/Bev/Barb, thanks for always delivering the PQBs with a smile.
Sara, thanks for sharing your story with me and letting me read the poem you wrote.
Amy, thanks for always reminding me that Friday was right on the horizon.
Crystal, thanks for putting up with the fax beeps by your desk.
Rachel, thanks for the egg salad sandwich and for always opening the door for me.
Sherry, thanks for offering to let me use your hand lotion after a long day of folding letters.
Ann, thanks for all your good humor and quick whit.
Karen, thanks for sharing your “southern belle” drawl with all of us.
Jack, thanks for always being willing to fix the postage machines when I got stumped.
Michelle, thanks for putting in that good word when my wife came to visit.
Dawn, thanks for the “framable” forms and good conversations.
And Bridgett, thanks for sharing your family photos with me. It was the most meaningful moment of my entire time there.
Taryn, Stanley, and Troy - my brothers in the struggle against the ever increasing mountains of paper - thanks for all the laughs and for making what would have been boring work thoroughly enjoyable. I hope I’m better at “the game” by the time we all see each other again. Shoot. I just lost, didn’t I? Oh, and don’t forget rule 13…or 9,000.
Sandee, thank you for giving me this opportunity to be on your team and for being such an inspiring leader. It was a pleasure to be able to work for you, even if only briefly.
I guess what I’m saying is that you all turned the tables on me. I was aiming to make a difference and I’m not sure I had quite enough time, but I do know that you all have made a difference to me. My life journey now moves on, and this chapter in it, though short, will not be forgotten. Thank you all for being so kind.
You all are a great bunch of people. My prayer now is that you’ll continue to look out for one another as you take on the new challenges as your company continues to grow.
(And I also hope that some of you will begin to consider taking a day off here and there.)
Grace & Peace,
Danny “the temp”
Goodbye Party
