On balance, Twenty-Twelve was a good year. Looking back it
was a year of rest and some preparation.
One year ago my situation was that of a middle-aged,
unemployed, Community College graduate with no prospects on the horizon. Every
resume sent out was met with silence. Every call to employment agencies met
with the same refrain: We can't place
anyone without legal experience. Unemployment weeks could be measured in
almost single digits.
Then January turned into February, and the unseasonably warm
winter brought with it two contract opportunities in the procurement field. One
was with an automotive company and the other with a local school district. After
several interviews, I was offered a long term contract with the school district
and have been there since. Where this is on my career journey, who can tell,
but it's a chance to do something meaningful for the kids so I enjoy it.
For the rest of the year this allowed me to pay bills, buy
thing, and save money. It's amazing what a mental relief that is after years of
struggle and worry, and it made the whole year good even in the absence of
other activities and adventures.
As with every year, I attended some social events. While normally a mixed bag for this Wallflower, they were fun and a good reason to leave the house and even resulted in my making a new potential friend.
As with every year, I attended some social events. While normally a mixed bag for this Wallflower, they were fun and a good reason to leave the house and even resulted in my making a new potential friend.
But for every joy there is a matching sorrow. My oldest and best friend achieved ultimate independence on July 3: He passed away. For the first time since the early 1990's, that I remember, I broke down and cried. The number and variety of people who attended his memorial service were a testament that he was a caring, non-judgmental person. My life was better for having him in it.
