The Next Great Adventure

I've been on an odd journey the last 7 months.  I've been aggressively seeking a new job while jobless.  Add to that the exciting fact that this is one of the worst periods in US history for people in mid-life to find jobs, and one of the worst periods of US history when considering the funding of public libraries . . . you can start to see glimpses of some of the challenges I've faced.

But I have been victorious!  I have a job!  I will be starting work with the Sacramento Public Library  March 25! 

Just let that sink in a minute.

Sacramento . . . as in California.  It happens to be the capital of California, and although it's a smaller city than Columbus, it is still fairly large.

I can hardly express all of the emotions that are swirling around inside me at this point.  I'm excited, for sure, happy and honored to be going to a new library, to have been chosen.  I am thrilled for this new adventure, going to California and staying!  I am sad to be leaving friends, getting further from family, leaving this house in which I raised my son.  I am tired from the stress.  I am relieved to be working on a specific goal now, able to truly pack so I can move somewhere specific and do a specific job.  I'm a little anxious that I'll overlook something important, forget to do something that needs to be done, miss an appointment. 

So yes, there is a lot, but mostly I'm excited. I have but a few days left in Columbus.  My stuff is all sorted, and the things I'm keeping are packed into Uhaul Pods and already en route to Cali.  Everything else has been portioned out, donated, taken by others, hauled off to the dump, trashed, sold, etc.  Seriously, I can't even tell you how much stuff was in this house.  Way.  Too.  Much..Stuff. Never again!  Lean and nimble, that's how I want to live.  In fact, I'm already thinking that I'll have to donate more stuff once I'm moved into my new apartment and see what, exactly, I need and what I don't need.

But that's just stuff.  The hard part is my friends, my dear chosen family.  A few friends put on a party for me last night here in my mostly-empty house.  There were probably over 40 people who came, and I know a bunch of friends who couldn't make it for one reason or another.  How blessed am I?  Very!  Each person who came is special to me in one way or another - co-worker, colleague, knitter, college friend, friend through other means. church mates, you name it.  I am fortunate to have so many friends, and I really really appreciate Carol and Nick who did so much (esp. Carol) to make last night's party a success.  Such great food, so much laughter, so much joy bursting around in my house again!  This is how our lives should be lived, not around stuff, but around relationships, around people, around sincere caring.  Thank you, my friends.