transitions

Back Online: And Introducing a New Friend with No Name

Posted by Barbara Techel

20150121_165208My website was hacked yesterday, which you probably realized if you tried to view it and you were unable to.

I’m so happy to have it up and running again (thank you to my web gal extraordinaire, Caryn!).

But you know what? It was a reminder of how much I really enjoy connecting with you via my online journal. It felt like I was missing an arm yesterday. Or like someone tied my hands behind my back and I couldn’t share my thoughts via my fingers flying across the keyboard.

This place, while here on the web is so “public” it also feels so much like home to me. To feel connected with you – to know you are there in your own cozy little place, reading my thoughts. So thank you! Thank you for being here. I’m glad we are now once again connected.

I had to share with you this adorable construction dachshund my mom gifted to John a few weeks ago. Now John can’t say he’s alone running his construction business anymore.

As you might recall, we started out with three employees, two of which we had for over 12 years, who left last year. Then our last employee, Joe, left in November.

It was an interesting transition. And as John has eased into a new way of doing business, he is loving being on his own. It’s been great seeing how happy he is, even though he was unsure how he was going to handle being a one man operation.

But he’s never alone, as I’m here to be his support when he needs to talk things through. Kyie and Gidget here to remind him of what matters. And well, his new construction buddy that hangs out on the ledge of his office window to make him smile when he may feel overwhelmed. Would this little guy be considered a construction muse like I have writing muses?

I’ve yet to think of a name for him. He has to have a name. Any suggestions?

New Beginnings. More Time Alone.

Posted by Barbara Techel

10383947_10154383231150607_2098441628179649764_nSo many new beginnings have occurred lately. Along with beginnings, this is oftentimes accompanied by endings, which aren’t always easy.

For years, John had a crew of three working for him in his construction business. Last year we lost two of our employee’s.  One ready to move into another line of work and the other left to work for another contractor. Both had been with us for over ten years.

Then a month ago our third employee, who is one of the hardest working guys I’ve ever met, gave his notice. The construction field can have its challenges. We can’t afford to pay employee’s health insurance and an experienced carpenter caps out on the pay scale at some point.

Time for a new beginning for John, but actually what feels like a full circle moment for us. When he began his business over 20 years ago he was on his own. But when things got so busy, he brought on employee’s.

Then the economy crash of 2008 was very rough.  I’m not complaining, just saying how it is and how you come to new points of view in your life.

While it has not fully recovered in some ways, John has decided to go it on his own again. He has worked hard to build a great name for himself so he can now take jobs that he wants, while not always having to chase for more sales to keep a crew busy.

With everything there is adjustment and John is in transition as our employee’s last day is tomorrow.

As I was thinking about this the other day I all of a sudden felt lonely.  I’ve been home since 1994, having started out helping John in the business working in the office. I ventured out on my own in 2007 with my writing and my school visits with Frankie.

Even though we were coming and going out of the house, about once or twice a week we’d have lunch together at the kitchen table, or steal away on a Friday for a bite to eat.

As I think about this new beginning, John will be on the job site often, which means much more less time at home. While I always try to focus on the positive, I did have a moment of sadness and feeling this impending loneliness of not seeing him as often.

But I believe that all is working out just as it should be. For years John has been giving thought to this transition as we get older so you just have to think that the Universe is working to help him make these changes.

And if I find myself impending the new change and sad about not seeing John as much, I remind myself that he is still here with me on this earth.  This reminder all too real as my mom lost her husband a little over two weeks ago. She is in a transition of her own with no one coming home at the end of the day.

So while it is normal to grieve what was and move through those feelings, it is also important to be thankful for what we have. My mom and her recent loss is my tap on the shoulder and call to my heart to give thanks for the many blessings that I have.

And as my mom says often, “There is a season for everything.” In many ways it feels like a welcome slowing down in our lives as we move into this new change, and a new season to see what gifts they will bring.

And last but not least, I’m never alone, as I’ve always got my sidekicks Gidget and Kylie to keep me company – two huge blessings that I love!