thanks for nothing

Friday was my last day in the office before commencing maternity leave. I'd been working from home the last two months, but by no means had I vanished from office life. I still dialed into conference calls, edited documents, chaired meetings and gossiped.

So I was rather perplexed when, at 4 p.m., I realized I hadn't received any kind of parting sentiments from my boss or my staff. My boss is not the most emotional or thoughtful person. I accept this. However, we have worked together for 10 years and I was about to leave for six months to give birth to twins. Couldn't he call to say, I dunno, good luck with that?

And my team couldn't buy a little card from the company gift shop and sign it?

I thought about this as I rode down the elevator. Admittedly, I am not social butterfly, but I show up when duty calls. I buy cards for staff milestones, attend lame office parties for their birthdays, give regularly to the X-mas fund for needy families. Am I actually the department pariah and just never knew it?

That night I received an email from my boss (in response to an email I sent to the department saying thanks and catch you later). It read: "Good luck and please keep us posted."

He responded to an email I sent, he didn't even send his own message! I was floored. J thinks I shouldn't bother telling anyone at work when the babies are born. I have mixed feelings - there are some people I would definitely want to share our good news with - but the level of indifference from my supervisor and my staff has given me pause.

Faithful readers, please sound off. (And you can mail me a congratulations card, if you really want).