Recently one of our long-time managers decided to leave and seek other employment. This man had been with this for over 10 years. He came in as a client and worked his way up to becoming the number three manager in our organization. He was a willing person who never said no when asked to do something. He worked in our facilities in southern New Mexico. He was a manager in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He worked in every district in Arizona. But, because our revenue had decreased over the past two years due to a decline in our population, we had to eliminate his position.

We did offer him his previous job as a house manager. But because he was now in a relationship, and had increased financial obligations, he couldn't accept. He decided to move on and seek employment where he could earn a salary that would continue to support his lifestyle.

Change is difficult. This man's departure will mean changes in our organization. He had good working relationships with all of our managers. And he knew the job inside and out. It will be difficult to replace him or pass his responsibilities to others in our organization.

His departure illustrates one of the realities of our lives: that one of the only things we can really count in life is change.