In early February, when the Snyders gathered in Punta de Mita, Mexico for Gary's nephew's wedding (see photos), it only took a few hours to realize I hadn't updated much of the fam (nor friends) about the big change in my work life. So last week, I made it Facebook official! I came out as a co-owner of Geraldine's Counter. 🙌 

After Gary's passing, work, working and the office felt completely changed. Having a newfound appreciation for mortality and life, selling cell phones no longer felt like the right gig for me. Especially because the job I now wanted had to have a way to give back, pay it ("it" being all the love, support and help we received) forward and honor Gary's legacy. Serendipitously, at the end of August, T-Mobile's CEO announced the plan to cut 5,000 roles…and a few weeks later, learned my position was one that was impacted. My 8 year run in magenta-land concluded at the end of September.

My first idea out of the gate was to start a business planning memorials. I enjoyed putting together Gary's CoL and working with so many of our amazing people that donated their time and skills. I thought, the last thing people who are processing/managing a loss and grieving want to do is plan a party; me and my network of contacts could help out! I started brainstorming, taking lots of notes, scheduling/having meetings and conducting research – I even applied for a business license and named my business entity Jewpino (our wi-fi router's name and one of our nicknames).

Eventually, my enthusiasm for the memorial planning concept waned as the prospect of being involved with Geraldine's emerged and blossomed. Now, because a lot of people ask and wonder, upon Gary's death, his ownership of the restaurant was absorbed by the other owners. It took Stacey and I multiple conversations to suss out whether a business partnership made sense and figure out what I could contribute/a division of responsibilities. At the end of November, we put a ring on it.

I feel like my role at Geraldine's is a few dashes of what Gary used to do (e.g. I have a shopping day and I work a shift on the floor) mixed with duties that play to my strengths (e.g. marketing, communications, operations, spreadsheets). It's been really fun learning a whole new industry – aside from McDonald's, I've never had a job in a restaurant before – and discovering ways to leverage my work skills in a completely different setting.

One of the big draws about this opportunity was being a part of the establishment and community Gary helped create…and not only honoring and nurturing this/his legacy, but building on it. Mama has ambitions and needs to make-up for losing a corporate salary!!

Being at Gerladine's opens up opportunities for me to give back (e.g., we're discussing ways to fundraise annually to honor Gary) and to pay it forward (e.g. friends have come in for a meal and I love to do my best Gary impersonation by having a seat at their table to catch-up, connect and talk story). But let's be crystal clear: I'll never possess the Gar-Bear suave or charisma, but I'll do my best and put my own Jewpino spin on it.

From time to time, when I'm on the floor I imagine Gary flitting about Geraldine's watching over me and questioning "Why are you doing it like that, bitch?!"