Wheelerswife Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 I am jittery for something good for a change! Background for those who don’t know me - I left my first career as s physical therapist a year after my first husband died. I had met the man who was to become my second husband and fairly quickly moved halfway across the country to be with him. I had the sudden realization that I no longer wanted to work in PT. My (future) husband was completely supportive of my decision and encouraged me to take some time, play a bit, travel, and consider going back to school. He was a university professor and we had these options. So...I did just that. Putzed around, managed some renovations to our house, traveled fairly extensively and went back to school. I didn’t know where I wanted to go in terms of career, but I was working part time on another Bachelor’s degree. Then, my second husband died unexpectedly in his sleep. School became the vehicle that got me through the ensuing days and weeks and months. I had six classes over 2 semesters to finish that degree, however I still didn’t know what I wanted to do! I realized that I loved Higher Education - the wonderful gift that my second husband brought to me. I decided to enroll in an on-campus Student Affairs Masters program and I started it a year after my husband died. I finished coursework a year ago in December and finished my final project a year ago this month. I started applying for jobs a year ago, while at the same time, I downsized and packed up my house. I knew I could not stay where I had lived with my second husband. I really liked it there -with my husband. Being there without him just reinforced my losses. I made the decision to return to the east coast where I have friends and family scattered. I put my property in storage, rented my house to a young professor, and I have spent the last 6 months in limbo either with my parents or at the vacant second house of some friends. I cannot count the number of job applications that I have sent out. On the east coast, it is not uncommon to have 100-200 applications received for each job posted in my field. Just getting preliminary phone or Skype interview is a rare occurrence. But - finally - I have a job offer for an academic advisor position in a private college that is geographically much closer to where I have friends and family. It is a new place for me, as I don’t want to live specifically where I have lived in the past. I accepted the position today and soon I will have income again! My life has felt like a car in neutral for too long. I can finally shift into gear and begin moving forward again. My years in school certainly moved me forward. Now I can take more steps to establish a new life in a new location. Work will be the next vehicle for me. I am staying just over an hour from work, and once I get established in my job, I will look for a place of my own and reunite with my own bed and other furnishings. A new town, a new start, a new life. I didn’t want this when I moved to Kansas, in love with my second great love. But he isn’t here and I don’t have that life anymore. Life is coming together again. I am excited. It feels good and a little scary, too. I have a job! Thanks for listening. Maureen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milojka Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Well done you!! You deserved this. Your second great love would be proud of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgib Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 CONGRATULATIONS!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobFTC Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Maureen, I am so happy to hear this You will change lives with this work! Take care, Rob T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peony Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Congratulations Maureen!!! You deserve all of the wonderful things coming your way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
First Widow Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 I'm so happy for you Maureen! Congratulations and best wishes for your new adventure!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruth Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Congratulations Maureen! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julester3 Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 That's great Maureen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trying Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Congratulations! This is going to be a great fresh start for you after all of your hard work and patience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trying2breathe Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Wonderful news, so very excited for you. Congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennybug Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 So happy for you, Maureen. I haven't checked in here for a few months...and your post jumped right out at me! Great news Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Congrats and best wishes Hugs Manoj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrokenHeart2 Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Congratulations Maureen! Hugs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJF Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 So happy for you!!! Congrats!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kater Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Yay, yay and yay. I am so happy for you! That is great news. Congratulations. K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWidowWhisperer Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 How wonderful!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mizpah Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Yayyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooshy Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Congratulations Maureen! You'll do great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeudi Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 I am impressed with the way you go for what you want and all of this despite living through things that might bring anyone else to their knees. Hope you love, love, love your new job. xoxo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catnip Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 Good for you! Finally! Welcome to higher ed. Just remember, some days it's not too high. But you know this already. Let the fun begin! ~Catnip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adley Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 I know it feels terrific! So happy for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugarbell Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 That is wonderful news!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
candace0902 Posted March 26, 2018 Share Posted March 26, 2018 Maureen, I am so happy you found your perfect 'niche'. You have always been such an inspiration for me, especially after being widowed twice and with so many huge changes to take in all at once!! Congratulations!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted March 26, 2018 Share Posted March 26, 2018 That's awesome Maureen! Congratulations!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjs1989 Posted March 28, 2018 Share Posted March 28, 2018 Wow! So happy for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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