December, 2006
As November came to a close and December began, my life was an absolute whirlwind of activity. Once I'd accepted the offer on my condo and we'd agreed on a closing date, everything seemed to shift into HIGH gear.
I had to decide on a Moving company, find a place to live in Charlotte, pack up all my belongings.....oh yea, and continue the job hunt (long distance). In addition, I had to jam a million other details into the already crazy schedule. Oil change, dentist appointment, doctor appointment, haircut...the list was endless.
And, although I'd been unemployed for many months....once folks heard I was leaving the state...EVERYONE WANTED TO SEE ME, one last time. I struggled to keep my composure as person after person after person wanted a 'piece' of me. I tried to understand their intentions...but, was so consumed with details of THE MOVE that it was hard for me to be gracious when additional demands were being placed on me.
If you've paid attention at all, you've undoubtedly heard that MOVING is one of LIFE'S LARGEST STRESSES.
I had the great fortune of selling my home and being unemployed while planning a cross country move. Oh yea, and being SINGLE. Good lord, I was going for the record of how many stress's one person could possibly endure simultaneously. Did I mention, I was making this move over the CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY?
If you've read any of my other stories...you'll notice a theme of how December/Christmas has notoriously been the worst time of year for me both personally and professionally. Anyone who knows me can attest to my complete DISDAIN of the Christmas season. Historically, I have been kicked in the ass so many times during the Holiday Season, I need to come up with a new term for that time of year.
Instead of Merry Christmas, I should mutter: "Merry Kick-me-in-the-ass". It would be much more appropriate.
My closest friends threw me a going away party and it was lovely. All my favorite people in one place at the same time. Several professional peers of mine came to say goodbye and it was truly heartwarming for me. Heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.
Here I was saying goodbye to business associates who I had professionally partnered and collaborated with. Their mere presence was proof to me, that I had accomplished something in Milwaukee.... Yet, in six months (nearly seven) I hadn't been able to find work in my hometown. It was painful.
However, on a more upbeat note: the week before my going away party, I had been contacted by a professional sports team in Charlotte. They wanted to meet with me to discuss possible marketing opportunities within their organization. I was elated! I agreed and we set the meeting date for January 2nd, 2007.
Gosh, the potential for a HAPPY NEW YEAR was looming.
My condo selling so quickly and now the potential of a cool gig with a pro sports team was proof to me that I was making the right decision to move. I was hopeful that these were signs of good fortune just over the horizon.
On December 14th, the Movers arrived early in the morning. As they began loading all of my possessions onto the truck, the enormity of what I was doing finally hit me.
My condo had been my 'comforting place' after my surgery and during the hunt for a job. It was my sanctuary. Thanks to good financial management, I was still able to afford my mortgage while collecting unemployment. The condo was a reflection of my taste in design but more importantly it represented the only thing that I could control while everything else around me felt so shattered.
Now, I had sold that sanctuary and I was venturing into the complete unknown. I was leaving my family and my hometown (AGAIN) to follow career opportunities that I was certain were out there. Opportunties outside the four walls of my precious condo and opportunities outside the boundaries of Wisconsin.
As the truck pulled away and I stood in my empty condo, I said a silent prayer...asking for the strength to continue on the journey.......
And, soooooo much more was yet to come.
