The night was early. The reservation was for 18 but as the evening wore on, 15, 16 17…18 people arrived with more still expected. We needed more seats, a bigger table. The conversations were lively and loud. We were there for a reason, to be connected, to say thank you.

I say “boss” because there isn’t a word that I know that adequately describes who she is. It is safe to say she is nothing like anyone else I’ve worked for – ever.

She is that “boss” who will always be remembered, in 20, 30 years, for shaping and setting into motion that “something” that fundamentally is important to my personal journey.

I learned honesty, I learned that it’s ok to be real, I learned that it’s ok to be wrong and it’s ok to make mistakes but most importantly to respect the diversity. She gave all of us a space to be our best selves even if we may not have realized it at the time. I thank her for that.

The yelling that was required to be heard at the long table was perhaps a product of our own noisiness and less about the music or buzz from the other patrons and that was a wonderful collective to be part of – the laughter, the shared experiences, the stories.

Today my voice is hoarse and I slept-in beyond a reasonable hour. I am grateful to have been part of the motley and continue to be part of the motley.

To connection. To humanity. To experiencing the thing we call life.