grandfather
my mother went to holland for her october visit with her parents (she goes twice a year) and my grandfather (her father) got sick (fluid in the lungs)- well he was sick when she arrived but he got worse and so she took him to the hospital. So the visit was very well timed in that she was very helpful to her parents. it can't have been a restful trip for her. sometimes the things we have to do are the good things even if they are not fun.
when she was about to leave to get on the flight home he told her he wouldn't see her again. very sad :(
there is also a family i know who the mom has just been diagnosed with als and may only have a few years to live and she has a daughter james' age as well as one 2 years younger. the one james' age has not had the same life as james as she was diagnosed with cancer at 2 years old. they fought so hard and she is now cancer free but her mom is sick.
Giving up what I love
I am so busy that the reality of my situation is having a slow time sinking in. I am giving up my lovely office and the class that I love for personal stability. The door is open and I am walking through into I know not what. It is exciting and I am staying positive, focusing on the good about the change. But any change is difficult.
1 week
It is hard to believe all that has changed in the last week. I have a new job. I am very happy with the stability aspect. I am also happy with the computer/programming aspect. It will take me a long time (they said a year) to learn how to run the computer program properly but I think I will enjoy that aspect very much.
What is not so good, but I don't mind too much: people are going to complain a lot to me. I have years and years of students complaining, so the people complaining will just be a bit older.
What my concerns are, but I think will be opportunity for growth:
Working with people. I am used to being a lone wolf in the role of work. I worked contract so that meant it benefited me if I worked through lunch. I saw no need to take breaks. Now I do not have those social skills to work with. Not that it probably will matter as my boss I am currently with said that it was a benefit going into this job that I am used to a lone job so maybe I won't need those skills after all. We'll have to see!
My other concern (that may or may not be a concern) is why the last person in the job left the job. Apparently, the job did it to her, but noone has told me which aspect of the job did her in. Maybe noone knows.
I think they were very careful in hiring me, so maybe they know what attributes I need to have to survive the job:)
It is hard to believe I start in a few days!
bunny trail
It has been a very busy few weeks at work. I have lots to write here but just have to get the words.
Yesterday, I went to Rustle in the morning and the Calvary church down the road in the evening. It was very good in that Al and the speaker in the evening had kind of the same point in their sermon.
The speaker at the Calvary church had a very good sermon when he was reading off the paper but he went off on a bunny trail at one point, talking about how you can't tell the Christians from the rest of the world and he went on to talk about external reasons why that was so-kids don't have respect - kids don't wear suits- some Churches don't have a piano or an organ (gasp!). While I was listening to this I thought- man this guy would not be too keen on Rustle! But God didn't say you would know a Christian because they wear a suit (which this man says he does all the time!) or because you have a piano or an organ but you would know them by their LOVE. They should stick out not by outward appearance but by their love.
