I just found out my job is being outsourced.The whole department is being transferred out of state, and with spouses and kids and aging parents, most of us, myself included, can't just pick up and move, so...

In a little less than 2 months, I will be joining the ranks of the unemployed, unless I land a new position before then. I'm worried, and I'm also sad. I've worked at the same place for more than 15 years, and most of my coworkers have been here nearly as long.

We are a tightly bonded group, and we've been through a lot together. They helped me get through my grief over my father's dying, we watched in horror on television as the Twin Towers collapsed, grabbing each others hands as we cried. We've thrown one another baby showers and bachelorette parties, and now we are all going to go in different directions.

We'll call, of course, and get together for lunch or shopping on the weekends, but it won't be quite the same and we all know it. Today one of them said to me, "I'm going to miss you so much!" and my eyes welled with tears. This is really hard.

We are trying to be positive, to look at this as a chance for new opportunities and challenges. But it's scary out there. It feels like the last few days of college, when you suddenly realize a whole chapter of your life is ending, ready or not.

Still, I'm determined not to jump at the first job I am offered. I don't want to panic and make a bad decision. I'm looking for the perfect fit. Maybe this is my cue that it was time to move on, hopefully to bigger and better things, and a new group of coworkers to bond with...but I'm still going to miss my old crew!