Good (Fri)Day

Banking holidays do have their advantages.

Bankers are better at taking holidays than lawyers. That's what I was banking on (ha!) when I switched into this new position, and so far that has borne out. 

Back in the day, at my first law firm job, right out of college, when I was a legal assistant, also in BigLaw, the firm's holidays were synchronized with those of its largest client, a BigBank. But somehow, over time, either because the subsequent BigLaw firms had their own schedules, or because BigLaw grew away from BigBanks, that changed, and for decades I lost Good Friday as a sanctioned work holiday.

But I was pleasantly surprised to find that my new BigBank employer retains the holiday. Now, it's not all fun and games; with Juneteenth now an official holiday as well, the Friday after Thanksgiving seems to have dropped off the official list of non-work days, at least for this one BigBank. Now thinking about it, I don't think I got that day back in the old days. But no matter - with the additional use it or lose it vacation days, I will just plan to take that day off.

It's all about the balance. And I plan to be one of those employees that takes all of her days off. Setting a new course and new expectations - for others, for myself, for my life. 

So, so far, the new gig is living up to the saner pace it was advertised to be. The commitments will pick up now that I understand how much time will be required to prepare for licensing exams. But par for the course. Hopefully a small investment in time to gain back more of my LIFEtime.

In the meanwhile, the Friday off last week was lovely. Easy. Laid back. We got to Queens and still had time to walk on the beach before we lost light. Precious family time.

It was still somewhat blustery and cold by the beach, but sunny - oh the lengthening days, harkening to the languorous late light evenings ahead.... Both the sun AND moon were out at the same time, lighting the way ahead. Eyes wide open, or as open as they can be to what lies before me on the career path.

'Twas a Good Friday. 

With the longer days, the Passover cooks must have had a bit more last minute cooking time. But the Ramadan fasters will have gone hungry for a bit longer.

And for the rest of us, no holiday special meals - just regular family time meals. And the miracle was that all of us - the children of Abraham, and the rest - we all got to do our things, simultaneously, separately, in relative peace here in this country. May we continue to be so blessed.

[Edited April 22, 2022.]