CIRCLES, CONSTELLATIONS & SKIPPJON JONES!

Let me begin by apologizing to my mother and dear friend and co-worker LM.  The mini hero I’m about to tell you about makes them sick (actually, I think my joy over the mini hero is what gets to them).  I “met” Skippjon Jones© many years ago.  When I met him he was teaching children colors and shapes in books so I didn’t realize a thing about the whole world of Skippyjon Jones© although I wondered about his funny looks.  I liked the way his name rolled out of my mouth when I would read the book to my little friends at work.  Around the same time, one of my cousin’s got a teacup little dog (yes I know teacup = little but the dog was really little) who looked suspiciously like Skippyjon Jones©.

Anyway, as I often do, I’ve digressed;  I went to the teacher/parent conference (yes, I do know it’s parent/teacher but I figure they call the meeting so it’s really teacher/parent conference) only to run into the annual book fair.  I love books! I found a Skippyjon Jones© book and bought it without flipping through the pages. 

It was upon reading the book I learned about the world of Skippyjon Jones©.  He’s a cat not a dog (which explained his funny ears) but he thinks he looks more like a Chihuahua so he says that’s what he is.  He’s a really cool kiddo that has a stick horse and imaginary playmates.  The book I had (someone has my book but no one is confessing – the children are tired of me asking about it and I guess based on my tone they automatically know what I’m about to ask for because they respond “we don’t have your book”) my sweet little hero steals bones from the dog next door. 

His mother tells him he best put them back but he ignores her.  The next thing you know, the dog is at the door and my hero wakes up on the couch with a Band-Aid on his head asking what happened?   I love the little dude’s imagination, his stick horse and I love that his mother let him experience some natural consequences.

Anyhoo; somehow (I can’t imagine how it happened) my co-worker’s became aware of my luv for Skippyjon Jones©.  One co-worker gave me a puzzle book of him as she thought me and the children would enjoy it (as if I’d let them touch my book) and another co-worker showed me my cute little hero’s animated stories (that did it) and even found me the cutest little stuffed Skippyjon Jones©.

However,  my joy over being with my little hero daily made some folks jealous in the office and he was kidnapped! I received a ransom note but didn’t have time to adequately respond to it.   I took it well for a little while but thought I would have to file a police report when he was gone for two weeks.  I gathered forensic evidence upon his return and planned to call some investigators I know to come in and sweep the building (if they had time to join our fun and games) but, things got busy and I didn’t get the chance.  I also got smart and figured out whoever stole him knew what a fool I was acting over my cute little stuffed doll so I calmed myself and tried to let it go so they couldn’t have power over me! 

The next thing that happened was there was an office auction and I was gifted a beautiful (tongue in cheek - she has scary eyes) grey cat (I thought to keep Skippyjon Jones© company like a surrogate mother) but later learned the cat had devious plans for my little hero.  Then…. he was stolen again!

By that time, the tension in the building over pending and looming changes were too deep for me to get into the game of investigating who stole my Skippyjon Jones© but he was never far from my mind.  Okay, I bet you’ve guessed that I work with a bunch of NUTS!  But we sit with and and wade through a great deal of trauma with the Soldiers and Families we serve so comedic relief is welcomed. 

There are always changes in life.  We’ve experienced some and I will not be working daily with some women that I’ve grown to respect and care deeply for which saddens my heart.  I admitted (I think I knew but just admitted) that I really don’t adjust well to change but I’m leaving it in my resume as a strength – smile. 

On the last day we were all together; Skippyjon Jones© and I were reunited (and it feels so good)!  It was the culprit I thought it was or was it?????  I don’t think I will ever know because as she was in my office so was another co-worker who had previously been involved in the kidnapping of my mini hero (somehow). 

Although I can’t fully digest how much my day job will stretch and change, I know I will miss them.  They’ve added a great deal to my professional and personal growth.  We’ll never be the same constellation again.  I will miss the laughs but most of all I will just miss them. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MelPKaT8PpU