Below is an email of mine to a coworker whom I worked with a long time ago.

It concerns a former boss of ours who must remain anonymous.

I worked directly under this individual, as his assistant. My coworker worked in the same office, which was headed by the former boss of ours.

My reason for posting the email is that I think it makes a key point, in the last sentence specifically.

— Roger W. Smith

   August 7, 2016

********* *******************************************

While I was out walking this morning, I thought briefly of _______ [our former boss] with respect to what I wrote you about him yesterday.

What I wrote was critical.

I  should add that:

At times I connected with him. Sometimes we “jibed.” At other times, he seemed preoccupied and could be distant, sort of standoffish.

But at other times he could be personable as well as considerate and thoughtful.

He was not arrogant.

He had a good sense of humor and could take jokes made at his expense; he could be humble and diffident.

I think his life had been and was difficult at times, that it had never been easy. I got the feeling, somehow, that he had always had to struggle to achieve and be accepted by people.

He was an Army veteran and had a “regular guy” side.

All of this made me think today about the admixture there is in all of us of good and undesirable qualities, of annoying and redeeming traits.

— posted by Roger W. Smith

  August 2016