Goodbye to an Old Friend

Today, I said goodbye to one of my oldest friends; a friend that has been with me for almost two decades.

This friend came along at the beginning of my software development career and has seen me through the many ups and downs of my path as a professional geek. When my youngest child was born, this friend was already there. Many years ago, this friend was destined for permanent retirement; thrown out like common refuse. Worthless. Headed for oblivion. But I saw value. I came to the rescue.

Home to home and half way across the state, this friend has followed me. It has been a rock and a comfort for me. I have battled many dangerous enemies with this friend. It has witnessed many of my adventures. This friend has helped me to face many challenges.

Sadly, it's time to say goodbye.

When I first found this friend, it was in a professional setting. Over the years, the friendship has moved to mostly leisure time.

The COVID-19 Quarantine has given me a chance to reconnect with this friend in a way that I haven't really experienced much in those ensuing 20 years. The last three weeks of Work-From-Home have given me the chance to spend a great deal of professional time with this friend, as opposed to the countless hours of fun and games this friend has been there for.

But the decision was made to move on before this craziness began. Commitments were made. Other companies were engaged to implement this split. I feel a little bad trading this friend in for a newer, younger model. But it had to be done.

My friend of 20 years will be leaving me today.

Goodbye, old friend.

I am frankly quite impressed that it has made it this long. Only ONE of its siblings survived this far, and that one met its end about 3 years ago. I wish I remembered the brand. I believe my brother and I purchased office furniture at Office Depot. We bought several of these chairs, and then a couple of Executive Chairs. All of them lasted MUCH longer than I ever expected them to. Whatever it was, it was a very impressive brand.

But, alas, it is time to move on.

Hello, new friend.

I can only hope that this new chair is able to form the same long-lasting bond that the other one did. It's not as fancy as the old one was, but, so far, it's comfortable.

Time will tell.