Although sometimes I don't feel like it, I have made progress. I got my younger son into afternoon preschool five days a week (hold the applause) -- and it's free (now you may clap). Hopefully he will adjust quickly to sharing toys and transitioning from activity to activity again and be fully prepared for the rigors of kindergarten in the fall.
At first, I was dropping him off and then driving almost completely back "home" and sitting at the library working on various tasks while I waited for 3:15 each day. Then I discovered that you really don't even need to purchase a beverage at Panera in order to hang out there. Just sit down somewhere, open your laptop, and no one will bother you. You could probably sit there all day and not one employee would question your continued loitering. Some food for thought perhaps…
First Win
I got my resume together with the help of an experienced HR professional, and have begun submitting resumes all over the Three Rivers area. I also have begun to utilize my networking skills. With any amount of wall papering and word of mouth, I will be back to the workforce in no time at all. So, eh hem...if you are looking for a seasoned professional who has a training/managerial/customer service background with strong communication skills, give me a shout and I will be happy to send you my resume. Don't be shy now -- I've got mad skills and I won't sit on the shelf for too much longer.
Second Win
I finally, finally, sold my house. This was not without its bumps and bruises, as so very little of my life is typically smooth sailing. Prior to closing, while completing a home inspection, it was discovered that we had some broken pipes. After working through that little (insert laughter) hiccup, we finally went to closing last week. I did not make any money from this transaction, but my goal was to walk away without owing anything, and I count it as a success that I accomplished my goal.
Third Win
My older son got approved for Social Security benefits. This is no small feat of paperwork and patience. When I was working, I always made too much for him to be able to get any disability benefits from Social Security despite the fact that he qualified under his medical condition. Yet after the sky fell on us, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to apply again.
It is a lengthy process, and one that is (in my own opinion) meant to deter folks from even trying to complete the necessary steps. I had to make an appointment, take a packet, and wait five weeks for the first available appointment date. Then I had to gather all of the information on the two checklists included in the packet. The next step was to complete the online application, which took over three hours to type in all of the names and addresses and documented services that my son has/had received over the course of the past several years.
Then there is the actual interview, which also takes a couple of hours and goes through all of the documentation that is provided, step by excruciating step. After that, I waited for a letter, which told me that I needed to provide additional documentation. I collected these things and mailed them out right away. Finally, after two months of persistence, and following every instruction, he was approved. However (and there is always a caveat), if any of the income or basic living arrangements we have currently do change, I am obligated to report these changes to them within thirty days. For now I will count this as a win!
To Be Continued
I still have plenty more steps to take in this journey back to some sense of normalcy. Or whatever that is supposed to look like. Because truth be told, my perspective of even that word has changed dramatically over the course of the past year, and definitely over the past few months. I don’t want to go thru this ever again, but there are no guarantees. In the meantime, I am going to enjoy watching my boys play on the new playground while I scour the Internet for employment. Looking forward to what comes next…
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