Sunday, April 24, 2011

Finding Forty, Day 325; Peacester

Happy Easter!

 In many ways this feels like an obligatory blog.   I don't want it to be quite that way.   Maybe I have more to say than I realize.

Work is dragging me down.   I am definitely terminated and will no longer be employed by my school district past June 1.   Showing up everyday and putting on my 'happy face' just gets harder and harder.  While I can accept what's happened on the surface, with each passing day I become more and more confused as to why I was one of the few who was let go.

My ego is so wrapped up in all of this, there is no simple way for me to 'not take it personally'.   It affects every personal realm of my being, including the livelihood and wellness of my children.  I am angry.  For a while, I've put off talking to my boss about things, trying to squelch the emotion and move into a spot of neutral acceptance, but the longer I attempt to do that, the more embittered I become.

I sent an email late last week asking to speak with her about the lay off.   While nervous and anxious about the prospect of facing her, I must have some answers, even if I am leery that they will be honest.

Job hunting is mentally exhausting.   I search and search and my current skill set leaves me empty handed.  My goal, thus far, has been to apply to two per week.   Better get on that later today.

As for my love life, well...I continue to be committed to repairing things with A.   This morning, the image of Dorothy and Oz came into my mind.   I awakened at 4 a.m. and realized I needed to set out the boys' Easter baskets.   I shuffled through the living room in the dark, retrieved their hidden stash of goodies from the pantry and sequestered myself in the laundry room to assemble the baskets.   Sorting through each boys' pile of goodies, I felt extreme happiness.   In that moment, in the wee hours before dawn, while each of my boys (including A) slept soundly, I realized there was no other place in the world I'd rather be.  Dorothy knew what she was talking about when she said "There's no place like home."

We are tentatively moving ahead.  I know A needs space and time and that patience will be my biggest ally during this transition.  He still loves me, of that I am certain and deep down I believe there is a chance for us.   I must wait and just let things be.

It seems bizarre, but I find myself able to just 'be' like never before, especially as it relates to us.   Our friendship is strong and secure and that brings me joy.  Our family is tight, weaved with years of love and devotion and there is immeasurable comfort in that reality.

As I was driving home from work the other day, it occurred to me that I haven't talked to S in ages.  It hasn't even crossed my mind.  The thought that I could, at any time, reach out to him if I so desired gave me such a feeling of power and success.   I can but have zero desire.   Finally, I feel free.

So, despite my job situation, I still feel blessed.  I feel a level of contentment I haven't experienced in quite some time.    No, I feel more than contentment.   I feel, at last, peace.

This is a Happy Easter indeed.

7 comments:

  1. I'm for your moment of peace, Kate. We all need to get to this point.

    I can comprehend what it is like to search for a job (in France, no less). My suggestion is that you bump up your searches to 7 a week instead of 2! :-P

    Joyeuses Pâques!

    -Your Cheerleader

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  2. OMG! Seven instead of two?? I will do it just for you, starting today!

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  3. "...I find myself able to just 'be' like never before..."
    "I feel, at last, peace."

    Hallelujah!

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  4. June said it all! I hope it all works out for you. I am so relieved that you have finally been able to let go of S. Good luck on talking with your boss, but don't expect a truthful answer. You will get the party line. They have to have a legally defensible reason for why each specific person was let go in a RIF situation. Any variation from the stated reasons could give them legal problems. Have they written you letters of recommendation? The strength or lack there of can be telling. If you haven't already, ask them to write you letters for your job search. Then trust your gut when you read them and you'll know who you can trust as a reference.

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  5. Have you moved back in with A?
    I'll keep my fingers crossed for your marriage and your job...

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  6. Jobs come and go - there's always another, and you'll find one.

    What you are finding within yourself is so much more valuable. If this year has been about Kate Finding Forty, with a few weeks to spare, the next may well be about finding your way back home - both of you.

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  7. Sorry to hear about the lay-off! We're living in a crazy time. I hope you find a better job very soon.

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