choice of maybe's

So, some big news at work this week. After nine or ten years with the company, my friend, and favourite long-distance colleague, L, is calling it quits. I must admit, I didn't find the news particularly surprising, but I was saddened and a little bewildered nonetheless. She's one of the "good guys," so to speak, and I had honestly hoped that we would be able to work together forever (as grade-school as that sounds). However, I respect her decision and wish her all the best as she moves on to greener pastures. And as she reminded me, just because she's leaving the copmany, it doesn't mean we can't still be friends.

Now, the twist (and there always seems to be one) is this - the day before L called to break the news to me, her boss called me from Philly to tell me about her decision, and to offer me her job. It seems the thought of losing someone so good freaked him out and he felt he needed to take immediate action. He talked to teh board, his management team, and they all decided that if I were to accept the job, they would throw in a relocation package for me. If I decline and the job goes to someone else, the relocation package is off the table.

My initial reaction is flattery - at the relocation offer (which is no longer standard), and at the mere thought that my feet are big enough to fill the figurative shoes L is leaving behind. But there are so many other factors that are at play before I can say yay or nay to this exciting and potentially challenging new offer. I kind of had my sights set on moving to Boston and all the different things associated with that move, and hadn't accounted for Philly as a possible destination. Now it feels as though I have to choose between two possibilities - neither of them with definite job offers at this point, just promises of jobs.

Choosing between two "maybe's" - is that how my New Year is starting off? This can't be a good sign...or can it?