Back to work

In the back corner of the room stood a life-size cardboard cheerleader. Taped on the fake lady’s lips, a sign read “Welcome Back!” All over the desk were balloons and candy and newsletters. As I walked into my office on my first day back to work, a weird feeling crept up into my stomach. Nobody was there to witness it; I was early and nervous about coming back to work. A small tear formed in my eye... I was happy to be back.

I returned to the halls of my work Monday. I am an account executive for a major public relations firm, where clients depend on me to be smart, creative and the best. There is something missing, because at times, I feel odd. It’s not the work that is troubling me nor is it the people… my co-workers were so supportive and thoughtful while I was in Iraq. I’m having trouble with the quietness. It’s like while I’m sitting at my desk, I’m waiting for a loud explosion or people to run through the halls, yelling “take cover.” The only thing that startles me is the phone.

I am actually very excited about returning to work, to a life of normalcy and planning lunches. Of course, what I am most looking forward to at work is initiating agency-wide pranks. On April Fools Day, nobody answered their phones. They were ready for me. But there’s always next year.