I really like the people I work with.

I am a legal secretary in Washington, DC. I moved to this area twelve years ago. I didn't want to work in a law firm, but shortly found out that for my skill set, going as a legal secretary was the only game in town.

I have worked for some amazing hatclowns. I won't go into detail.

When I returned from medical leave last March, I was assigned to a group of four attorneys. My heaviest hitter is a former ambassador to the UN in Geneva. He gets anxious and angry and has an occasional explosive episode. (He always apologizes. ) But for the first time in twelve years, this kind of behavior doesn't make me anxious. I can blow it off rather than internalizing it. I don't know what changed in me -- maybe it was the interferon -- but it's the most welcome change in my inner self in decades.

I really like working with him. I like working with my next-important heavy hitter, and with my international strategy consultant and my other two attorneys as well.

I know how lucky I am. Not only do I have a job, but I don't work with hatclowns anymore.