Old Blog, Never Posted (Cytonome Lay-off)

So I'm black and boggin. Wait, scratch that and reverse it. It's been a while but if I'm gonna blog about anything, this outta be it.

The events that transpired this Thursday (9-27-07) will definitely go down in my books as an experience. My boss and I and two other coworks took a stroll after lunch to check out the three gargantuan cruise ships that docked next to our building earlier that morning. Amazing feats of engineering by the way!

To set up the story, Cytonome, Inc. is a privately owned medical devices company resting on ...or shall I say clinging desperately to the shoulders of a few investors. In a company meeting we had a month ago, Lydia, our CEO, updated us on the status of the company by saying that we had a few key investors on the fence about this next period (I don't speak business very well so excuse me if my terminology is wrong) due to the shaky economy as a result of the deteriorating housing market. She was very optimistic which allowed us to leave with nothing really to worry about. Well, this Thursday, Lydia spontaneously called everyone (all 26 of us) into the conference room for another company meeting. She jumped straight to the point. The fence walking investors lost their balance and tumbled off the wrong side. (excuse the cheese) She was given a two week period to feverishly pick up some new investors but that didn't pan out. In order for Cytonome to survive, they had to make some cuts. Well, being the latest hire, I thought for sure I was a gonner...you know, being the one guy or maybe one of two to go. Nope. They cut 50% of the company. Not only did I go, but so did many others, which from my point of view, had much more at stake. Of the laid off included a few that had been around since the company started, a few Ph. Ds, and many with wives and children to support. Quite surprising to say the least.

Prior to this day, for some time mind you, I had been spiritually struggling to no avail. Despite even the tremendous blessings Chels and I have been given (my excellent job, our successful journey to Boston, our new relationships, etc.) My line of communication with God was, what seemed to me, severed, failing to encounter Him on a daily...um, make that a weekly basis. I found myself doing what I wanted to do, not thinking twice about what He or Chels wanted. To make the story short, life has been a bit dark for me lately.

Initially my heart dropped when I heard my name. "How am I gonna tell Chels?" was the question that weighed on my mind at first. As she continued to read the list, my mind was diverted from "What was I gonna do" thoughts. At that instant, I had a hard-wire connection with God and He was saying to me, "This is it, Jeremy! Here is an opportunity to represent me. This is why I brought you here.” Probably one of the most comforting and peaceful feelings I’ve ever felt in my life. It’s as if God had just raked any negative connotation from what had just occurred.

My attitude went from the verge of panicking to speaking with and consoling other coworkers who were also laid-off. I was reminded at that point that God said he would take care of us, which allowed me to maintain a positive outlook and encourage others for the next few hours I was there. I was able to reassure other “employed” coworks that Chels and I would be taken care of and proceeded to joke and make light of the situation, though not in front of other laid-off folk as it might have come across as a bit insensitive.

Needless to say, I left work happier than I had left any other day. It was an incredible experience and I am privileged and thankful to God that he used me in that.