A Letter to a Cherry Tree

Posted on 2006/06/13 17:09:25 (June 2006).

[13th June 2006]

To many people this post might look extremely odd. It has a meaning that maybe you can discover reading the comments of the previous entry. Sakura (Cherry Tree in Japanese) is infact my brand new assistant, well at least almost new assistant (already 4 months old!!).

This one is for her.


*---------------------------------------------------*

Carissima,

First of all glad to have you onboard.

As you can see you'll be able to know more or less what I am up to every day, so in a way I will be "around" and since you know me personally you will be able to read my adventures as if I was telling them in person! (wow! that's luck!!)...

As I told you many times, you are one of the things that I was worried the most. You got to know about me leaving in the worst possible way (i.e. reading the blog), but in a way I knew that it was not going to happen the canonical face to face way....
Even if we really worked together for only 4 months I think that the "raw material" is there for you to grow in a "proper way". So the work side of things is not a problem as far as I can see.

What I was worried was exactly the fact that you wrote about.
I could see that you were not at ease here the first days, I can see that it's not easy for you to accept such changes (even if they are not related to you directly). Alas, there is nothing that I can do to make things better, I AM leaving.
Augustus used to say "Acta est fabula" (the show is over) and that's the hard facts, the main jester bows gently and retires, there is no curtain call.

What I can do is to tell you to keep your head up; it might not seem all that great now, but these experiences are what you need to grow up and face future shocks in a better way.

"If it doesn't kill you will make you stronger", so true.

Try to remember what we discussed about, the political side of things, the tactical decisions that we have to make to get the social engine running smoothly, remember the jokes and, why not, remember the bad parts, this is what you are going to base your choices tomorrow.

There will be other people coming here; they will be boring, happy, great or sad, it doesn't matter, though it might be hard to see it now they will carry their experiences with them, and some of them are going to fall in front of you for grabs.

Take what YOU think it's right, but don't always stick to your guns, change ideas (only stupid people don't do that), revise, rethink, remake, chew every possible thing that is thrown at you and THEN... if you like it make it yours.
I will be glad in ten years time if you will remember that Florentine guy who said a lot of bullshit, who spoke japanese and event tried to pass some of his VERY LITTLE wisdom to you.

In short, do not be scared. The adventure in this company for you can be a good experience (and it only started 4 months ago).

My time, on the other hand, is over.

I have learnt a lot here, and now I can move onwards.
People will pass, the right people will stay. This is what thirteen years of travel thought me.

You know that I will be available for advice, should you ever need some help, I don't say this as your boss, but as your friend.

To cap it off, I also cry, and I am not scared to say it aloud.

I cried when I was on the plane that took me from Florence to London, I cried when I left Japan after having spent a marvellous year, I cried when I left Florence (again) to come up here north and trust me, I will cry the day I'll be on the car to go to my new destination.

This is life, I take it as it is, good and bad moments, I am glad that I can feel sad, because it means that I managed to build up something that it's worth to me.

And now "ENOUGH OF THIS VADER" (Tarkin to Vader - SW: A New Hope), I have written too much already.

Ciao ciao,

Lorenzo

Blimey, what a complex situation!

Posted by John at 2006/06/14 12:50:37.

Yay, the maison is online again! Sorry for the late reply!
Lore, you write in a too complicated way!!! :p
Anyway, I'm not scared, that's not the point. I know there won't be such a big change from the work point of view, well, I'm a bit tired of keeping changing the people I work with, but I'm not so worried about this. I'm just saying that I'll miss having a person at the desk in front of me that keeps joking and saying bullshit :p You know that there's a high risk that the boss will sit at your desk!!! O__o It won't be surely fun :p
Seriously, I'm sorry you leave 'cause you're a person con cui mi trovo bene (don't know how to translate this exactly in Enghlish ^^;;;), especially in the last few weeks I felt I could open up a bit and start being really myself (for me it's quite difficult to feel at ease when I meet new people, not only at work, I mean in general). Mpf mpf, now I've shown my "baka" side without worrying at work too :p
I know we can keep in touch, but it's not the same as having you here! Who's going to quote sentences from "Vernacoliere" or to teach me how to create a wonderful origami pterodactyl (oh sorry, I meant paper crane! :p)???? That's what I'll miss ;)

Posted by sakura at 2006/06/15 18:30:06.

Sakura san,
I know that work it's going to be fine. Ok you won't have me anymore in front of you, I understand that this can be a problem, but maybe the next salesman will be even funnier than me!

Ok our boss is a bit "heavy".... take out the "bit"... but the other people are nice! The boss might be a good experience anyways...
And after all we'll keep in touch so, no ORIGAMI are possible, but the Vernacoliere plus several other crap can still be sent by mail! :)

As I said, head up, smile and be yourself, you don't need me to do it! And if you feel down you can always call or write...

I am happy to have a discussion like this, to have to write these things.
It means that my job as a "boss" I have done a good job!
DON'T LET ME DOWN!!! :)

Posted by Lox at 2006/06/16 10:43:25.

Don't worry, I won't ;)

Posted by sakura at 2006/06/16 15:26:04.

Good girl!! :)

Posted by Lox at 2006/06/16 17:19:16.

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