The spunky six year old daughter of Partner Y used to like hanging out in my office, playing peek-a-boo around my desk, and drawing me pictures. When my cool co-worker arrived my stock began to go down, but we still shared some good times. When our office intern, my assistant, joined the firm the game was up. Even my cool co-worker has been completely replaced. We're lucky to get high-fives in the hallway if we ask.
I am waiting for this transition with my nieces. Right now I am an exotic visitor who drops in on special occasions (or creates special occasions by dropping in.) Within a few years, they'll be in school, have friends their own ages, and I will be (hopefully as much as) a source of good presents. I'm glad I'm not still in Pennsylvania and missing them entirely.
Posted by: pjm | March 29, 2004 at 05:04 PM