I never got to give a proper goodbye. It was all so overwhelming. Everything happened so quickly. My last two weeks came and went, and I felt like I didn't get any time to really take it all in.
I started working at Flipp during a desperate time in my family's life. Mateo was just 8 months old, and we were running low on funds. I remember the month prior, I signed up to be an Avon representative because, heck - the girl was a good sales person and, let's face it, I was an easy sale.
I ended up being the WORST Avon rep. I would give away free things, and feel guilty taking people's money in exchange for their orders. I would always be like "oh, it's fine, take it free." If you know me as well as you all do - this wouldn't be a shock to you guys. I am who I am.
Needless to say, that phase in my life lasted quite a short while. I remember browsing the internet for easy data entry jobs, and there was this sketchy ad for data entry. No company name, just a job title and an application form or button of some sort. I applied, I had nothing to lose, why not? I took a leap of faith and, well, it was the best choice of my life. That sketchy job ended up being that one job that changed me and helped to grow me into a better person.
At Flipp I not only learned a lot about what I could achieve as an individual, I also made a lifetime's worth of friends. I worked at Flipp for 6.5 years, part time and full time combined. During that time, Life had me experience many milestones: College Graduation, Starting my first real full time job, The birth of my third child, my first nights away from my children, my first time getting drunk, my first time on a plane (excluding that one time when I was 4). In all this time, I realize that I didn't just have coworkers, I had made forever friends.
When I started high school in grade 9, I had moved from Brampton to Mississauga. It was the hardest transition of my life. I didn't know anyone, and everyone already knew each other because they all went to the same Junior High Schools. I was the new girl. I had next to no friends and because of that, every day in grade 9, I would walk home for lunch and stay at home. There would be days where I didn't even say a word to anyone. I was basically invisible. When it came time for people to sign my yearbook at the end of the year, my yearbook only had 5 signatures. I didn't want my mom to think I had no friends, so I faked a couple of "Enjoy the summer" signatures to fill up all the blank empty spaces. True story.
On Friday, I was handed not one, but 3 books filled with signatures from you lovely people, real signatures. Notes of praise, and encouragement, and love. I had no words. The first memory that popped up in my head was my grade 9 yearbook. It was great because the first thing I did on Friday when I got home was show my mom the books I got. And together we read all the notes left by everyone.
On Saturday morning I read the books to my kids. On one of the books, as I flipped a page, I saw a note of encouragement in the middle. I cried. You all have no idea how much your gifts and your kind words meant to me. You all have no idea the impact you have made on my life, each and every one of you. I am a better person because of you.
It's not an easy decision, making such a drastic change. I haven't been out of a job since I was 15 years old. I literally don't know what to do with myself. I tried to check my phone to see if Live Dates was completed - I couldn't. I woke up at 7:30am on a Saturday morning and didn't know what to do, I ended up taking the dogs out. This is a huge transition for me and I am absolutely terrified. But I was told a couple of weeks ago, that if you're not afraid, then your dream isn't big enough. Well - my dream is huge. It's like a dinosaur. The biggest one.
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone, for making my time at Flipp a dream. I worked my butt off every single day. This wasn't a job to me, this was my way of helping my friends. Pushing flyers through, completing spot checks, fighting fires, I did it because I love you guys. I did it because I want to make sure that no one was stressed or worried. I stayed up late, completing box spot check, reallocating capacity, managing the completion of urgent flyers because I wanted you to wake up in the morning and just smile a stress free smile. I did it for you. I did it all for you.
Now, it's time I do it for my kids.
I love you all, and always will. Don't forget about me!
Peace out. A town.
Love,
Mari
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