Change, of Course

Unemployment always throws you off, but this timing was so unfortunate. I was just starting to feel like stability in America was taking hold so our family could be still long enough for some fulfillment and satisfaction to settle in. Truly, we had been in this odd limbo since day one, always changing course, planning, moving, resting for five minutes, and then doing it all over again. It was kind of like Groundhog’s Day. Granted it was exciting at times, we had the benefit of experience many people only dream about, we had to trust each other and work together to make things happen, and our kids are still excellent at adjusting to all new things, but it was beginning to feel like one stressful situation after another and a whole lot of overcompensating--but for what, I wasn’t completely certain.

When the job search in Chicago was coming up empty, we decided to change course again. Detroit: The place where my husband grew up, where his parents still live, and where we had many really good friends. This felt right. God knows why because I honestly don’t remember. (Impatience?) But, in the end of course, God did indeed know why and he (my husband, not God) landed a great job that still keeps him happy. Or at least relatively happy as I understand it. I had very well learned by then that a husband who is happy with his work means a much happier environment at home, so I was eager to get over my impatience, embrace this latest change of course, plan and move.