Sign Posts...

As I drove south on Mooney Blvd today, an unfamiliar road sign appeared out my window. An arrow pointing west, the sign indicated that highway 99, a major north south route in Central California, could be found just 4 miles from that spot. The reason it had remained hidden in my many trips down Mooney was a large tree, somewhat overgrown, hid it from the view of almost anyone driving on the boulevard, even those who needed the information the most. I was not looking for highway 99, but I made note of it and drove the direction I had already set for myself.I said good bye to an employee and friend today. No, this person did not die, he simply moved on to a better job with another company. Now I have known Robert for several years and we have worked together at two different organizations, but it was different today, something like the sign I had never seen before. This event, was not unlike that old tree standing between me and the sign post. Often, the one route I need to know about, the one activity I really need to focus on, the one friendship I need to build is, well, hidden, by the branches, leaves and other debris of life. I suppose that sometime ago I imagined that someday Robert would find a job more to his liking, or with better benefits, or pay, but I didn't see it coming, at least this quickly. I was simply driving down the boulevard and, BAM, there was a sign in the road, indicating a new direction for my friend and colleague. So here we are...desk cleaned out, waiting for a new era to develop not only in his life, but also in the life of this little company, since he has taken a different route. Fair enough. He needed to follow that route. But I, well, I am moving straight ahead and, just as I did today, even though the sign was noted, my course was already set. It strikes me that signs are either extremely and urgently important, or ignored altogether, depending on our circumstances. Today it was a little of both.Happy travels, Robert, perhaps we will work together again one day! If not, watch the signs, they always point to something important, we just don't always see them.