a time for every season...

i guess times like this come every once in a while... 

times where you have been anticipating the end... dreading it... being naive about it... and finally it comes. it happens. and even though you knew it was coming it doesn't make it any easier. 

i am talking about lost. just kidding. that would be pretty funny though. :-) 

can i tell you a funny story? yesterday, this special friend, was pretending to stand at the sink with his back to me... la te da... and then he smacked me right on the butt. and i turned around and he just had this sly little grin on his face! haha and then i started laughing and Michael was like, "what's so funny?". haha i love Michael! he has been especially cute lately... we had a dance party in my car wednesday.... oh that... and he told me the baby in his belly was making his belly hurt! how cute is that child? he watches too many medical shows... 

ok. that is all. 

and so it is...

so... this is my second week working with Michael at Julia Green...

and somedays I think I am having a harder time adjusting than Michael...

and somedays, like today, I miss St. George's. I miss my boss, my friends, and most of all, a work environment that was amazing. 

but, I love Michael. and I would have missed him as well if I stayed at St. George's... I will adjust. I will make new friends (adult ones.. I have some children friends!). And Michael will continue to my buddy.

The Tale of Two Choices, Decision Part Dos

Finally, after many days of waiting by the phone, Metro called me. There wasn't much time to make a decision. It was a quick and to the point conversation. A 'do you accept?'... 'ok', here's what you need to do, type of conversation. So, I accepted. And have been busy trying to get everything completed. 

So. Then came the moment I dreaded. As I pulled up into St. George's parking lot my heart started pounding and my mind racing. I felt heavy as I walked inside. The few people that were there greeted me with smiles. My boss asked me if I was ready to start back and that is when I told her I needed to talk to her. I could see it all over her face right then. I started to cry of course. She was very understanding and very happy for both Michael and I. I am very sad to leave St. George's. It has been a wonderful place to work. And I wish I could be selfish and have both of the things I love, but I cannot. So, I chose Michael. And I am happy about that. I get to proceed with him to this next step in his education. I get to be there with him when he makes those huge first steps... I get to watch him grow academically and socially. I am thrilled that I get to spend my work day with my best friend. I am his Mr. Feeney and he doesn't even know it yet! I can't wait to see his face when school starts. And I am also excited to see some of the students from St. George's there. It will be scary and exciting all in one. 

It is funny how life works out sometimes. This time last year I was offered the position to be Michael's assistant. Now, a year later, I am still his assistant but in a different school. It is fun to be at this point in my life. 

So, thank you friends for the advice and prayers. Your thoughtfulness has been greatly appreciated. 

The Tale of Two Choices, Revisited.

Remember not too long ago when I was faced with a hard choice between two jobs-- Michael or St. George's? Remember how this choice was made for me? Well, friends, as of today, right now, I have the two choices again. And this time no choice will be made for me. This time it's for real and it has to be made now. 

This all happened very quickly, you see. Last month I saw a posting on craigslist about a child with special needs needing an educational assistant at a local public school here. The ad said the individual would need to be hired through METRO. Similar, to what I would have need to do, if METRO allowed me to go with Michael. I thought this was interesting and sent a link to Michael's mom. Just this week, Michael's mom emailed me about an interesting conversation she had with METRO. Turns out, they decided they could hire me to be Michael's private aide. I was prompted to fill out an application even if I just had a little interest in it. I filled it out, and today, I was informed METRO has decided to hire me for the position. So. Here I stand again. 

I adore Michael. I want to watch Michael grow up. 

St. George's is excellent. The best school I have ever worked at. 

If I go with METRO it could be a career choice. They have great educational opportunities, and not to mention higher pay and benefits. But, St. George's is familiar. Comfortable. I have friends and a wonderful boss. So new and unfamiliar versus comfortable. The love for my buddy vs my love for my work place. 

So, right now, I wish my husband wasn't in a meeting. Right now, I wish I had more time. But, right now, I must think and decided. Right now. 

The Boy Who Wears Red Shoes, A Photo Essay

So, with my goal in mind and my love for my little buddy, I have submitted a photo essay about Michael. You can vote for this as well... and it may get published in a future issue of JPG magazine. 

Thanks my friends! You guys rock!

[elizabeth, you should consider doing a photo essay. you do have a way with words!]