Don’t burn your bridges. We’ve all heard it, especially as it applies to employment. Nearly a year ago I had a familiar woman walk into my office. She had a big pleasant smile and a calm soft voice. I had to dig deep into my memory banks. I vaguely recognized her, but couldn’t place her. I was embarrassed that I couldn’t remember her name and she was playing hard not to give it up. But I remembered something positive, something good. I just couldn’t make the connection. Then she said it. The trigger words were the snack bar at the Dome. It had been over 40 years and we were both much younger. I was thinner, she still is. Audrey Banks is even more pleasant today than I remember her. And she still works as hard or harder than she did in the 1970s. She and I both were part-time students in college when she came to the Dome. Today she diligently goes about her work keeping VBCC clean, and she does so with a smile and kind words every time I see her.
The next time you’re here and see Audrey, please say hello. She’ll undoubtedly have something kind to say that will likely put a smile on your face.