07.20.08

Coming out – or – Introductions, putting a name with a face.

Posted in Thoughts and Reflections at 9:52 pm by admin

After fighting the losing battle with evaporation this morning, Daniel and I went to his company picnic. This was the first opportunity for me to meet his coworkers. I’ve heard it said many times, “It’s nice to put a name with a face”, but this was the first time I experienced what it meant. I’ve heard about the people he works with when he recounts his day from time to time, and I did meet two of them last year for just a few seconds when we ran in to them while eating at Wendy’s, but today held particular significance.

Daniel came out today to his coworkers. There were a few neutral responses, but most of the people were cordial and several sat and talked with us the entire time we were there. The picnic was held at a local swim club that actually does a large part of its business renting the facility to companies and organizations for summer events. It sits on 65 acres and has a golf course, boasts the largest swimming pool in the east, and has multiple large picnic areas with pavilions and open area picnic tables. Several picnic areas share the staffed BBQ areas.

The picnic was attended by less than a third of the company employees, but most of those attending brought their families. After everyone had eaten, all but a handful went to the pool for about an hour. We remained behind and talked with those who also didn’t bring their bathing suits. Daniel and I both visited the food tables twice, selecting different entrees and sides. Folks came and went to different areas of the club, and the mingling that occured in the area the company was assigned seemed natural and amicable.

We discussed this day two weeks ago when Daniel told me he wanted to bring me to the function. It was the first event sponsored by his company in the two years he has been employed there where families were invited. Daniel writes about this in his blog, and you can read his thoughts on this in his own words. What impressed me the most was that the vice-president he works for came up to us as we entered the area to greet Daniel, meet me, and welcome us both. This says a lot.

O.P.W.

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