I started two good blog posts today.  Both will wait for another day, as I take this space to say goodbye to three colleagues friends  from my department who were laid off today.

Gentlemen, I am sorry to see you go.  I consider myself blessed  to have had the opportunity to work with such talented, intelligent, and gracious individuals.  We worked on some great projects together, and from each of you, I’ve learned many things.  Please stay in touch and let me know where you land. 

To my readers, I’ll wax philosophic another day.  Today, I cannot.

[update: 7-May-09  I’ve just been informed of the layoffs of three more friends in other teams.  One name is familiar to the blogosphere.  The others were simply excellent employees. 

I cannot say that this process has been anything less than personally painful.]

To all those who have lost their jobs, in Microsoft and every other business or organization this past half year, I send this famous Irish saying:

“May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you
In the palm of his hand.”

B’hatzlacha – Good Luck