For me, the flood came in the beginning of November 2020, just days after arriving back to Denmark with my wife and daughter - it felt like hours. Due to the pandemic and probably many other reasons my time at LEGO Education had ended, along with many of my colleagues who's lives suddenly changed over 48 hours of the culling. With luck I had a lifeboat of opportunity that my work spoke volumes to others and i would find a shore of a temporary contract with the bigger LEGO Group, keeping my salary and benefits until i could find a new full time job. As of writing this, that search continues, as if the water is slowly rising on my new found land.
It didnt hit me until a few days later, my emotions and anxiety finally hitting the fact that i'd have to leave 10 years of collected memories, stuff, builds, contraband and development at the drop of a hat. It was barely a day before i signed that my contract was terminated and that i'd meet my new manager and even potentially begin work that same day. I let myself start the day after. It was only then that the work of visas for the family and the sick reality of thought that could lead to me leaving denmark. I'm fighting to raise my daughter here though. I began to scrounge up my old desk, answering that question of what would you take with you if you could only take a few things to the edge of the world. My few boxes felt like crumbs. Though i was always able to collect more, i knew that it was healthier to leave it all behind. I knew that it would all eventually be washed away to be discarded unceremoniously and my best bet was to not look back. I taught myself to let go of everything i feared to lose.
There was the episode of 'The Fresh Prince' that lingered in my mind. The one where Will's father came back and then left again with an excuse. Will exclaims 'Why doesn't he want me man?!' and falls into the arms of a supportive Uncle Phil. I'm glad the show continued after that. My friends, the rest of the LEGO Group and especially my wife filled that space of Uncle Phil, and i know that things will be ok. They will be, yet until then, i'm definitely weighed down with anxiety, doubt, and fear. I think its healthy to be prepared. Luckily we knew a flood was coming. Onward we go.
I have ultimate gratitude to those who had that faith in me, and are continuing to work on my behalf to get that permanent job. I know i need to be proactive too, and its a bit exciting to prove myself again. Its exciting to be in a new role and new spot with so many opportunities. Sky is the limit!
I do get the chance to wade back into the flood waters though, just to see if there's anything left of my old home. Feels a bit like the titanic, though its truly a flood that passed through. Its all there but its not, and I know that its really gone. Maybe someday we'll find a way back, but whats gone is gone and i have to look forward for the sake of the life i brought into this world.
To the new adventure, still working for LEGO but now to make sure that my daughter learns that her father is resilient. That you can live and work your dreams and that nothing can stop us from them. I want her to know that we got this. Lets keep building!
