An Ode to Work Wives…

This is dedicated to the recently departed as TC writes about work wives and one in particular –a special Bon Jovi fan who lived while she was alive…
Read on! —the editor

Peg has asked me many questions during the last two years. This one made me pause, but I have to admit, Peg is quite observant (and perceptive).

Peg
TC, do you consider me a work wife?

TC
Where did you hear that term?

Peg
A few weeks ago, you were sad about what you referred as your work wife passing away.

TC
Well Peg, I need to explain what a “work wife” is.

A “work wife” is a companion you spend a lot of time with while working at your job. In fact, depending on the job, you may spend more time with the “work wife” that your own wife, or husband, whatever fits.

Consider that I am spouse-less, these relationships are more a bonding affair than a true longtime partner. After all, there is so much we share with others.

My longest job, at over 11 years, was when I worked at Las Vegas Airport. In reality, I had 4 spouses. Before you accuse me of adultery, these “work wives” were a combination of supervisors who most became peers and cohorts in “crime”.

Meet Work Wife Mary D…

There is Mary D., a fellow supervisor, who I started with at the airport back in 2010. By the time I was promoted and she covered several of my stores, I could rely on her to back me up and to be an ear to listen, and to listen to. Mary is strong soul with also keeping her heart on her sleeve. I gave her a shoulder to cry on, and vice versa.

I lucked out and tracked Mary D down a few weeks ago. I had a quick catch up via text and hope to have a reunion soon.

Meet Work Wife Mina…

There is Mina, who was a great communicator and was not afraid to speak up to me if she found something wrong with my performance. She also had my back when I physically could not keep up. If it wasn’t for Mina giving me a heads up that management was not happy with my performance during Covid, I probably would not have addressed health issues that were shutting me down. Tested positive for Covid and spent 3 days in hospital, the most days I had been in hospital since age 4, when my tonsils were removed. Also addressed my diabetes for the first time. Mina was well experienced with diabetes herself.

Meet Work Wife Didi…

There is Didi, once a rival but turned out to be the most professional of my supervisors. I met her when my company purchased another business at the airport. When she became the AGM at the airport, she was my direct contact when I took up an office job in the distribution center. During Covid, she was the direct manager when we had a skeleton crew. She knew what needed to be done, and figured out how to get it done, and use my talents to the best of my ability. During Covid, she had a different challenge –becoming a single mom. We tried to be supportive as much as we can.

Meet Work Wife Doris…

Peg noticed that I never talked about these three “wives” as much as I talked about DORIS.

Doris I have known for 15 years, and that was a developing relationship. A devoted worker, Doris ran the cash office at the airport for over 20 years. My first experience with her was on the bad end of a write up, when I didn’t follow a procedure. As time would go by, I got to know Doris through everyday contact, especially when I started to work during daytime, and got promoted to management. When a cashier was short cash, I heard about it from Doris. We spent many hours counting product during inventory, especially when we had to count Victoria’s Secret, AKA panty-land.

Doris lost a strong supervisor to lung cancer and desperately needed help. The GM suggested me when another candidate did not work out. If it wasn’t for Doris decision to take the lay-off during Covid, my airport career would have ending right then. Unofficially she helped me with any question I needed to keep the cash room running with only myself.

Doris was a huge Jon Bon Jovi fan. That man had given her much pleasure and happiness after her husband Mark passed away suddenly a few years back. She had a shrine in her workstation, which was maintained during her lay-off. Doris was also my best breakfast buffet partner, when we would meet at Gold Coast for food, a few slots, and company.

Many a bacon-fest was to be had, before Covid took the buffets away.

We All Move On…

Eventually, all of my work wives had left the job, either by lay-off or better opportunity. Doris decided that she had enough and retired. I followed behind her. I had enough, but I still needed to work.

I had met up with my work wives a few times after we all parted from the airport. When my left foot became an issue, and Peg arrived, we never got a chance to get together.

Doris finally moved back to Ohio last Summer to live with her niece. She hoped to be visiting Vegas this year to see everyone. That was not to happen.

Mina and I heard from Doris when she was admitted to hospital over a month ago. We didn’t ask much, and I shared hospital stories from my 3-4 month stay before Peg’s arrival.

I never knew how sick she was, and it wasn’t until two unanswered texts were finally answered by her niece. Doris had a stroke and was heading into hospice. She was not going to make it.

During a Friday work shift, she passed away.

Thinking about Doris…

I took pause with her passing, since she was the closest “work wife” I had that passed away. She was a great gal. She never had children, but she was the mother hen for many airport employees. Christmas will be a little plain this year without our “Christmas Nazi”, who aggressively decorated the office and holiday parties so much, we needed to steer clear of her when planning.

I am certain there are some sad JBJ (Jon Bon Jovi) sisters who she bonded with when Bon Jovi toured the country.

Notable Prized Possession: a custom T-shirt with a message, “If I die, tell Jon Bon Jovi I love him”.

She wore that shirt during a meet-and-greet with the one and only JBJ, who pointed to the message on her shirt in the photo that was taken.
(I say he was pointing to her boobs… but that is another story.)

Circling back to Peg…

I do not consider you a “work wife’, because you are always with me. A job will not separate us. But like my “work wives”, you are part of the “village” that made me function. As we grow together, you will learn more about me, and what makes me, ME.

That’s a Wrap!!

First of all, thank you Peg for asking about work wives. It felt good to process all this in light of the passing of my Doris.

I hope you can enjoy the ride, just like these “work wives” and the many more great people who have been part of this village.

Thanks for reading!