A new beginning

Last July, after months of job searching and angst, Grey called me to tell me he had been offered a position at the company that laid him off recently. He's wasn't terribly enthused about this option, but given we were on a time crunch and he was struggling to get companies to even consider him as we lived on the opposite coast, it seemed like the best we could do. I remember thinking that we just needed to get him there and everything would be okay. That he would adjust.

What followed was 5 terrible months where he slowly sank into a deep depression. The job was more than a bad fit. It was toxic.

Within the last couple of weeks, this company has been laying off other employees. Despite continual speeches about how amazing their management team is, it's clear they are actually the opposite. And with which new layoff comes a connection with Grey, them reaching out to commiserate and to support one another.

In addition to this, Grey has been transforming back into his normal self. Slowly healing from all the damage done by this toxic environment cultivated by a select few. And as his confidence has returned, so has his excitement about science and getting back to the bench. He's been enthusiastically reaching out to various companies and digging into them to find potential opportunities. The response has been positive and encouraging. It's been good so see him excited again.

Last Friday, 2 weeks after being laid off, Grey had a formal interview. This company is smaller and not as prestigious, but they are doing some cool things and developing great technology. Most importantly, the environment is what Grey has been looking for. Following the interview, they told him they would be in touch, sending him benefits information to look over. Though not what he would consider his dream job, there's so much potential in this position with the opportunity for him to collaborate and build to said dream job.

Yesterday afternoon, Grey was offered the position. The last 12 hrs have involved me taking a massive step back and emphasizing that this decision needs to be one where he is considering his happiness and ability to fit. Because despite all my anxiety about him being out of work, I can't go through another period like the last one. So he weighed his options and put together a plan of attack.

Today, exactly 2 weeks and 6 days since getting the news he was being let go, Grey accepted a new job. He's happier than I've seen him in a long time. The divorce with the other company is finalized too. He's officially free and a new chapter begins.

The trick now is moving beyond what happened. To continue supporting him as he begins this new adventure. To embrace the positive that has come while also learning from the negative. I'm beyond grateful to everyone who supported us during this period, offering advice, connections and help. But there's still some residual anger toward this ex-employer and all they put us through. The lies they told and the games they played. I know that the best revenge is to live and live well, so that's what we're choosing to do. Still, part of me also hopes that the behavior and greed of this stellar management team will be their own undoing.

For today, though, things are once again right in the world.