It was ten years ago this month that I finished graduate school. Although I had held a few jobs in the decade preceding that graduation, that was the moment I launched my career. That was the end-point for 6 years of advanced schooling. I was ready for the next chapter.
In the decade that has passed, there have been a lot of chapters. In fact, I feel like I've experienced more of a novella. Most of you (my devoted blog followers) know the gist of the story so I'll spare you the details. Sometime in the early 2000s (the "NAUGHTies?"), after a conversation that I'm pretty sure emerged during a road trip with the hubby, I made a list.
I've kept the list in various forms and it currently lives on my iPhone...for handy reference.
I've been thinking a great deal about that list lately.
First of all, I'm living my dream. My job at Commonwealth Autism Service is #3. I love my job and I'm proud to say that even though it is a challenge, I think I'm pretty good at what I do. Going back to work for CAS in February was the best decision I've made in recent memory.
The second thing I see when I look at this list is that I've also endeavored towards #4. My spiritual life is in a state of flux right now, but I see my work with CJSTUF as my adventure in Public Service. As Elizabeth Smart so poignantly said the other day, "One of the biggest ways to overcome any trial in life, to heal from any kind of experience, is by helping those around you. Because by lifting those around you, you end up lifting yourself as well."
The park ranger/camp director dream was born from my years as a YMCA camp counselor. It was probably my favorite pre-career job. Someday, when Roger and I plan to retire, our goal is to travel the country in an RV making long-term pit stops at state and national parks. We'll earn our keep by volunteering our time at the parks while we get to see the world. That's the plan. For now. Given the current state of my IRA, it's probably good that we're not thinking too extravagantly.
When the Romp n' Roll idea fell into our laps, it was the closest I thought we would ever come to summer camp. It was, in fact, Romp n' Roll's summer camp that allowed our daughter to experience the concept for the first time. In the summer of 2007, we saw ownership of a Romp n' Roll franchise as our opportunity to live a dream. It was a business that capitalized on both Roger's and my strengths and talents. We researched the options, weighed the pros and cons as we saw them, and walked in with eyes wide open.
Then the recession happened (note: economists claim the recession officially began in December 2007, the same month we bought the business).
Then cancer happened.
Needless to say, a lot of unexpected shit went down. While Roger and I have loved so many things about our Romp n' Roll experience, saying that it did not work for us financially is kind of an understatement. This month, after much deliberation, we made the difficult decision to relinquish ownership of our location back to our franchisors and cut our losses while we had the chance to avoid bankruptcy. Yes. It was that bad.
I've had a hard time processing this. I've had to come to terms with loss, with a sense of failure, and with anger that's not really directed at anyone in particular but at the general unfairness that sometimes exists in the world. I hesitate to say everything happens for a reason. It seems like more of a platitude than a truth right now. But I do know that my life is far richer in many ways because of the families who have met us and supported us through Romp n' Roll. I am happy in the sense that I am relinquishing a source of significant stress from my life. I am relieved that I can focus my energies in more successful arenas. I just need to make it known that I'm still grieving this loss.
So what happens now? I will continue with my current jobs, working at CAS and running CJSTUF. As part of our agreement with Romp n' Roll, Roger is staying at the Mechanicsville location as their General Manager. For the first time in three years, he will make a salary. Over time, we will carve our way out of debt. As Roger likes to say, it's just money. After everything the last few years have brought us, we still love each other. That might seem schmaltzy but it's a TRUTH that has kept me going for quite some time now.
We will move on. We must. I still have an NPR station to run and a food/arts/travel critic job to procure. Let's see where we are in another 10 years.
In the decade that has passed, there have been a lot of chapters. In fact, I feel like I've experienced more of a novella. Most of you (my devoted blog followers) know the gist of the story so I'll spare you the details. Sometime in the early 2000s (the "NAUGHTies?"), after a conversation that I'm pretty sure emerged during a road trip with the hubby, I made a list.
What were my top 5 Dream Jobs?
I've kept the list in various forms and it currently lives on my iPhone...for handy reference.
I've been thinking a great deal about that list lately.
First of all, I'm living my dream. My job at Commonwealth Autism Service is #3. I love my job and I'm proud to say that even though it is a challenge, I think I'm pretty good at what I do. Going back to work for CAS in February was the best decision I've made in recent memory.
The second thing I see when I look at this list is that I've also endeavored towards #4. My spiritual life is in a state of flux right now, but I see my work with CJSTUF as my adventure in Public Service. As Elizabeth Smart so poignantly said the other day, "One of the biggest ways to overcome any trial in life, to heal from any kind of experience, is by helping those around you. Because by lifting those around you, you end up lifting yourself as well."
The park ranger/camp director dream was born from my years as a YMCA camp counselor. It was probably my favorite pre-career job. Someday, when Roger and I plan to retire, our goal is to travel the country in an RV making long-term pit stops at state and national parks. We'll earn our keep by volunteering our time at the parks while we get to see the world. That's the plan. For now. Given the current state of my IRA, it's probably good that we're not thinking too extravagantly.
When the Romp n' Roll idea fell into our laps, it was the closest I thought we would ever come to summer camp. It was, in fact, Romp n' Roll's summer camp that allowed our daughter to experience the concept for the first time. In the summer of 2007, we saw ownership of a Romp n' Roll franchise as our opportunity to live a dream. It was a business that capitalized on both Roger's and my strengths and talents. We researched the options, weighed the pros and cons as we saw them, and walked in with eyes wide open.
Then the recession happened (note: economists claim the recession officially began in December 2007, the same month we bought the business).
Then cancer happened.
Needless to say, a lot of unexpected shit went down. While Roger and I have loved so many things about our Romp n' Roll experience, saying that it did not work for us financially is kind of an understatement. This month, after much deliberation, we made the difficult decision to relinquish ownership of our location back to our franchisors and cut our losses while we had the chance to avoid bankruptcy. Yes. It was that bad.
I've had a hard time processing this. I've had to come to terms with loss, with a sense of failure, and with anger that's not really directed at anyone in particular but at the general unfairness that sometimes exists in the world. I hesitate to say everything happens for a reason. It seems like more of a platitude than a truth right now. But I do know that my life is far richer in many ways because of the families who have met us and supported us through Romp n' Roll. I am happy in the sense that I am relinquishing a source of significant stress from my life. I am relieved that I can focus my energies in more successful arenas. I just need to make it known that I'm still grieving this loss.
So what happens now? I will continue with my current jobs, working at CAS and running CJSTUF. As part of our agreement with Romp n' Roll, Roger is staying at the Mechanicsville location as their General Manager. For the first time in three years, he will make a salary. Over time, we will carve our way out of debt. As Roger likes to say, it's just money. After everything the last few years have brought us, we still love each other. That might seem schmaltzy but it's a TRUTH that has kept me going for quite some time now.
We will move on. We must. I still have an NPR station to run and a food/arts/travel critic job to procure. Let's see where we are in another 10 years.
love, love reading your posts. I am so sorry you had to let go of romp n' roll, but I hope that the decrease in stress will be a wonderful thing for you and roger. I think of you often, and if you ever procure said critic job, I'd be happy to read your column :-)
ReplyDeleteRachel, we always loved Romp n Roll, but it didn't become a "family place" to us until you and Roger took over. I'm so sorry you are moving on, and the difficult decision that it's been for you, but I hope that it means less stress and tension for you from here on out.
ReplyDeleteI love my job and I'm proud to say that even though it is a challenge, I think I'm pretty good at what I do.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I believe that everything happens for a reason, but I'm pretty certain that if we are fully aware, we can find meaning and value in any circumstance. You have had your share of challenges, my friend, and I am sure you will move from this one just as gracefully as you have from the others. Another great post! Love!
ReplyDelete