She had just moved to our department.  And every time she answered the phone she would identify herself as the former secretary of President Nolan.  At first I thought that’s just her way of refreshing someone’s memory.  But the more I heard it, I realized something.  I realized that she had built her identity on the foundation of having worked for someone very important.

I understood what it was like to have worked for someone like that.  And I also understood what it was like after that person retired. I’ve seen people treat me with the utmost respect because of who I worked for. And I’ve also seen people treat me completely differently once that changed.

People are funny like that. I think it stems from insecurity.  Fear of rejection.  I think those who work hard at staying connected never feel connected to anything or anyone including themselves.  And that to me is a lonely world.