During some of my “darkest days” when I was going thru my divorce I had a lot of support from the executive officers of my company and my co-workers. One of those co-workers was my assistant Wilma.

Wilma was my assistant for 12 years. She was my confidant and she protected me very well. Yes I said protected me. Once there was an incident at the office when my ex-husband showed up unannounced at the security desk and insisted on talking to me in person.  When I left my ex-husband I had given the security people his picture as I was not only concerned for my own safety but the safety of my co-workers as well.

The security desk called my office and Wilma answered as I was in a meeting. She told security that I was not in and to let my ex-husband know that. She then searched the building for me (I had a habit of letting her know I was going to a meeting but not always saying where…my bad) and she finally found me.

Let me describe Wilma. She is short in physical stature but huge in spirit. She is a no nonsense sensible and out-spoken Puerto Rican woman with a heart of gold, in fact some may have thought she was tough.  Thank goodness for me she had all those qualities.

Once she found me she assumed control of the situation and insisted I leave the building once “the coast was clear” (meaning the ex-husband was gone). She then called me a car service to have me taken to my mother’s house which is where I was staying. If that was not enough she went outside the building to wait for the car and then called me from the security desk to tell me to come down.

When I came down she actually escorted me to the car and off I went.

I don’t think Wilma ever knew how much she may have put herself in harm’s way, she just always did what she thought was right.

I will never forget that day or my wonderful Wilma.

Everyone needs a Wilma!