Graduation!

"I've been cut loose plenty of times y'know? I mean the truth's inconvenient. But there's one person who caught me on the way down." -Cal
"That's a true friend."-Reynolds
"Yeah she is."- Cal

- from "Lie to Me"

I've done it! It's been 6 incredibly long and difficult semesters, but I am now finished with my AA degree. It's kind of shocking really. I mean, what do I do now? Look for a job, that's #1 on my list. I love my coworkers and my supervisor, I do. But, Lynn is going to retire sometime before October and Diane may be gone by the end of this month. It's time. It's time to find a full-time job with health benefits so I don't worry myself or my family any longer. Maybe I'll be fortunate and when the High Prairie branch hires all its folks (should be within a week) some of EA's circulation will go to High Prairie. All I need is a chance. I've interviewed for circulation twice and been declined both times. This time, though, this time I think I could make it. And with a full-time job I could move out.

Not that moving out should be the basis of finding a job. I take that back, maybe it should be. I'm 26 now and have always lived with my parents. They've been darlings by letting me stay this long, all the way through my first college degree. But I can't stay with them forever. I have my own life to live, and I'd like to let them get back to having their own lives to live. Caitlin will come with me, of course, when I do leave. She's going to be hunting for a job just like me and we're going to need prayers by the dozens in this economy. If we could both find jobs by December than our own place will be next on the list. We may even be able to take the spring semester off since we'll both have health insurance.

The idea of freedom is such an invigorating one. No adult should live with their parents forever. We need our own place with our own set of rules. I'm sure Caitlin would love to have a "Harry Potter" poster hanging somewhere. She'd like to decorate a living room or kitchen in her own style. That'll be interesting since it will need to mesh with my style. Maybe she can do the kitchen in roosters and I'll have the living room. Listen to me, making all these plans when I'm well aware nothing is set in stone.

"Heavenly Father, You've brought me this far. The going has been rough at times. But here I am, with that first step on the ladder completed. Thank you, Father, for the strength you've given me, finding that courage I needed to complete my degree. Help me not to fear the future, but embrace it. So long as You walk by my side I know I can weather the storms. In your son's precious name, amen."