Wayne

I couldn’t help but think of a great co-worker while reading chapter 4 of A Field Guide for the Hero’s Journey.  Out of the 4.5 years that I’ve served in the military, there’s one that stands out by far.  It’s the one year that was most productive and the one year that I was excited to go to work.  Wayne was my co-worker.  We complemented each other well, not to mention our personalities were very similar.  Our roles and responsibilities were quite different, but there was equal respect.  Because of our similar humor, I felt like I could be myself.  He was smart, competent, confident, experienced, and I had complete trust in him.  For this reason, I could concentrate on tasks that only I could perform.  Our combined work ethic allowed us to perform exponentially better than others that I’ve been partnered with, which in turn, allowed for needed down time and unwinding.  He placed his confidence in me even when I doubted myself and hopefully, I instilled in him self-confidence and endless potential.  If I could hand pick a co-worker in the future, it would be him and if I couldn’t have him, I’d want someone exactly like him.  I’ve realized that who you work with makes all the difference.  I’ve also recognized that I need humor to be better.  All those that I’ve ever worked with that had a sense of humor were the best co-workers.  They can brighten your day and lighten the burden of a poor outcome.  Thanks for a great, unforgettable year, Wayne!