The Lamp

The past few weeks I spent time with the person who will be assuming my position at the forest service. I have known him for years and I am quite sure things are being left in capable hands.

Last week we were sitting in the office going through computer files, when a lady I have worked with for years walked in and asked if I had told him about the desk lamp. Now, that's a pretty odd question, even by my standards. When I said no she said I better tell him.

I said when I started in this position we were in a different building. I really liked the office but the lightening was bad. So, my first official act was to go out and buy a desk lamp. When we moved to the new building I didn't need it but brought it along anyway.

That's when I heard the rest of the story . . .

The lady went on to explain that's how I got the lamp but not what it means. She said anyone who watched me knew when I came into the office I sat everything down, walked over and turned on the lamp. At night when leaving, I would gather up what I needed, walk over an turn off the lamp.

She went on to say, "Ralph, never has used the sign out board, anyone who needs to see him never looks at it. Rather, they walk by his office to see if the lamp is on or off. If it's on they know he's in the building. If it's off they know they need to call his cell phone or send him an e-mail. Don't mess with the lamp." And with that she left.

February 26th I turned off the lamp and exited the building. There are other lamps waiting to be lit.