September Surrender: Day Ten
My co-worker and I are on this trip together. We were basically sent on a mission by our boss, and told we could only go if we bring some significant knowledge back with us. It’s our fact-finding expedition. And one job I wasn’t explicitly told to do was take care of her, considering she’s thirteen years my junior and has never been to this part of the world before.
I’ve felt this way about her for a while; Our executive producer paired us up a while back as part of our team’s mentor-mentee program. So our connection is there, even if we didn’t have to formally rush to find it. While I’m not trying to act like her mother (who I’ve actually been texting here and there on the trip), I do want to make sure she’s doing okay. I’m not correcting her behavior, but I do feel a sense of big sisterly vibes, maybe even pledge mom vibes if we get down to it.
For instance, on the first plane ride here, I had the right-middle seat out of the four in the row, with an empty one next to me. She was on the end, only to find out the arm rest didn’t lift up, not allowing her to really stretch out for sleep. So I told her I’d switch with her no problem, and she was able to rest for the entire eight-and-a-half hour trip. We’ve been conferring with one another about wakeup time, sending one another a good morning text so we’re not late for call time. Even today when we were on the train to Rome, the stewards came by with a little train snack while she was napping. “Per lei?” I asked them, and they gave me extras ‘for her.’ I lightly placed them in her lap so she could see them when she woke up, which she was appreciative of the moment she opened her eyes.
It’s a very nice feeling knowing that I have a peer here to not only care about, but act as a team as well. We’ve collaborated on scoping out potential guests for our show, with her being the eye-candy seller and me the closer with the business cards. She’s an absolute hit with everyone we meet, making them laugh with her bubbly personality and impressing them with her political tact and knowhow. I’m proud of her and proud that we’re representing our boss with such grace and respect. We pledged to be this way before the trip, and it’s a wonder watching the sisterhood come to fruition.
But it goes further than that. I want to make sure I’m a good example for her as well, simply as a woman with more life experience. She doesn’t need the help as she’s her own independent woman, but there’s still things I can teach her, all while honing my own motherly instincts. I’m understanding what it’s like putting someone I’m “in charge” of in front of myself, if only on a temporary basis. There’s no question about it. It’s just what you do for those you care about, even if it’s not exactly what you set out to do. Especially when you’ve got a legacy to preserve for whatever the next chapter may bring.
We’ll remember this trip forever. Italy girlies for life.