A Change in the Wind, Part Three (Long)

All at once, everything seemed better. I believed I was close to receiving a job offer in the field I'd studied, working with sensitive people in a gorgeous setting. It appeared that my lonely days at The Little Church would be coming to an end in the best possible way.

I had pretty much decided that I would accept any reasonable offer that the continuing care community would make. If for some reason no offer was forthcoming, I was going to leave The Little Church in December.

And then.

A monkey wrench appeared.

A Monkey Wrench of the most surprising kind.

In the form of contact from the director of the autistic school. It seemed that they were thriving and busy beyond belief at their new location. Would I want to come and talk with them about possibly coming to work part-time in the office?

I went off to Black Rock a bundle of nerves. My knee was acting up and I knew I was on the verge of an irreversible decision of tremendous importance. I spent more time than usual alone on our retreat, pondering the possibilities, confiding in my closest friends. They were terrific listeners, never trying to sway me in one direction or the other, just assuring me that they knew I would make the right decision.

The day after returning, there were two important telephone conversations. One was setting up the meeting with the residents at the continuing care community. The other was scheduling a visit to the autistic school. But my head and my heart were in a good place. The uncertainty that had permeated the weekend was gone.

The travel time to one location was greater than the other, and it would involve unpleasant driving in the snowy season. Yet the salary potential and flexibility seemed to be greater at that location. These were issues, to be sure, but my decision finally came down to three things:

1. In my work at the hospital, I deal with loss all of the time. It is acute loss; I meet with the patient or the family one or two times. If I have a lot of loss events during a shift, I come home exhausted. My close friends are of an age where they have also begun to deal with issues of loss. At the continuing care community, I would be dealing with chronic loss, meeting with people repeatedly as they faced loss. At the school I would be in an atmosphere of achievement, success, progress (however limited).

2. At the hospital (and at The Little Church), I am alone. At the hospital it is me and a patient or me and a family. I do not work with other people. At the CCC I would interact from time to time with members of the admin team; most of the time, I would be working alone with a resident. At the school I would be working with a fifteen or twenty adults and fifteen or twenty very lively kids.

3. At the CCC,  I would be working with people my age or older all of the time. People facing various losses and downward transitions. At the school I would be with people of a variety of ages, people getting married, having babies. Students getting older and new, young students coming in. There would be the milestone markers and celebrations that are part of each school year.

Confident that I had thought things through very carefully and reached a good conclusion, I met with the autistic school team and was happy to accept, on the spot, their offer of a very part-time office manager position, to begin in the middle of the month.


Comments

stitchinpenny said…
I am so happy that you made that choice and feel good about it. Hope your joy continues.
Sandra said…
Congratulations! Literally writing down the pros and cons is the best way to make a decision clear.
OT Quilter said…
Oh, Nancy. I am so happy for you. It was so clear from your blog posts during the time the school was at the Little Church that you were enjoying your interaction with the school--children and teachers. And how wonderful that they want you to be a part of their community and their work. A win-win!
Quiltdivajulie said…
I love how you shared this story with us ... And your decision makes me so happy!!
Tanya said…
I'm glad God planned the timing and conditions that led to the decision closest to your heart. You'll do a great job in your new place.
Money can't buy happiness. Hugs from loving children will always trump grownups.
Anonymous said…
Isn't it wonderful how things work out? You know yourself well and listened to your heart. I'm so happy for you.
suz said…
I'm teary right now - I can't think of a better decision! You will love it and they will love you! God places where we are needed and I think this is perfect. I'm so happy for you!
Barbara Anne said…
Splendid!!!!!

How wonderfully unexpected for the Little School's director to contact you with this perfect-fit offer. IMHO, you chose wisely after thoughtful consideration and, no surprise here, you chose life, joy, and cheer leading among folks you already love.

I once read that ministry is where your interests and talents meet the world's needs.

Thanks be to God and let the happy dancing commence!!!!!

Huge hugs!
Unknown said…
Wonderful news - so happy for you
Janet O. said…
WooHoo! I got chills reading this, Nancy. What a delightful finish to the shift in the wind! I am so happy for you to have found your place in a vibrant, living atmosphere where you can see progress and joy, to counterbalance the work you do in the hospital.
BTW, where do you get your energy?
Gretchen said…
Congratulations! Being around people full of life is definitely a wonderful thing for the soul.
Denise in PA said…
Wonderful! I think I would have made the same decision. Best of luck to you in the new job!
Judy Bergeson said…
God puts you all over the place because you minister so beautifully everywhere you go. You will have a ball with these children, I'm sure. It makes my heart happy to hear you'll be planted there with them and their joy, to which yours will be added. Bravo, my friend!
Ray said…
Wonderful! Congrats!!
Karla said…
I about jumped off my chair and cheered! Good decision! So happy for you! <3
AnnieO said…
How very excellent that these choices were available to you! Nothing like feeling wanted :). Congratulations on the end of the lonely job and return to warmth and vibrancy!
Ms. Jan said…
AWESOME!!! I'm so happy for you!
Jan
Lori said…
Congratulations Nancy! It sounds like a great fit!
Millie said…
Oh good! I am so happy for you too. It will be good for you to be around noisy young energetic loving folks. It'll be crazy, but so positive. Enjoy!
Laura said…
Congratulations!!!I hope you're able to continue to share (carefully curated) stories from the school!
LizA. said…
What a tough decision this must have been but you thought it out with such obvious clarity. I wish you much happiness. I suspect those kids will do much to brighten your days.
LoieJ said…
Your pros and cons are so thoughtful, and somewhat unexpected. Very good thinking and, well, listening to your heart. I know you will do well.
Mrs. Goodneedle said…
... and that is ONE HAPPY ENDING indeed; I'm a sucker for them! Hugs~