Life has a funny way of taking you on journeys that you never planned for and certainly never imagined. Had someone told me ten years ago that I would be married to my ex-husband and the director of a library, I would have scoffed and replied with something sarcastic. Actually, even five years ago that would have been my response…and yet, here I am. Who knew?
I returned to my undergrad studies when major changes started to occur at Walmart, changes that predicted my position as a floor associate would soon be ending. I never thought I would go back to school, resigning to a Walmart career, and yet there I was returning to college with my oldest daughter who was starting her freshman year. I would graduate with my BA in 2019, just weeks after my younger daughter graduated from high school. I will confess, I cried. I had always wanted to go to college. My best friend and I would spend lunch breaks browsing college catalogs back in middle school. It was a life long goal and one I had given up on after my third time dropping out. And yet, thanks to encouragement and support from family and friends and the reality of retail world, I had done it. I basked in every second of that commencement, my heart overflowing as I saw my family, including Mom, Dad, Brother, and sister-in-law there to celebrate with me. It is truly one of my proudest moments. I digress…..
I now had a degree and wanted to use it. What does one do with an English degree? I figured teaching was going to be my best option which meant more school. While I pondered my next move a job opportunity came up at the local library for a Youth Services Coordinator. It was only part-time but I figured why not, at least it was someone in my field of study. I applied, got an interview, and to my surprise I was hired. I nearly screamed with excitement. I began on January 6, 2020 and in March we closed due to Covid.
Had that job description said I would have to make videos I would have never applied, but there I was a year and a half of virtual story times, crafts, and entertainment. Surprisingly, I grew to really enjoy those videos. My family was able to assist when we worked from home, even my pets got involved, it was truly a great time in my life. I needed that break to be home and back in touch with the world, it also provided me with an opportunity to learn the library. During this, I was still working as a pharmacy technician at Walmart (did I mention I became certified a month before graduating college).
We were just getting things back on track after the Pandemic shutdown. I had carpel tunnel surgery in November 2021 and the day after my surgery I received a call from the library director telling me she was leaving and inquiring as to if I wanted to become the Interim Director until they hired someone. As it came with a raise, I said sure. I had no idea that I had just selected a road that would forever change my life.
The director left on December 16, 2021 and the next day I became the Interim Director, meaning I was responsible for the entire library and its staff. I remember walking into the library after helping the departing director to her car and I just collapsed in a chair and started crying. I felt the weight of the entire building on my shoulders. I had no clue what I was doing. It was very similar feeling to when you come home from the hospital with that first new born baby. The responsibility and the cluelessness was crushing. Thank goodness for the amazing team, my family, and my daughter who now had her BS in Library Science. I couldn’t and still couldn’t do my job without them.
Fast forward…..I fell in love with my new role. I loved the reports, making a difference, helping my staff, selecting books….everything! So I threw my name in the hat for the director position and to my surprise, the Library Board said yes…..but there was one condition, I had to go back to school to get my Masters in Library Science.
Now, remember how I said I had a BA in English? Well, near the end of the pandemic shutdown, I had started online schooling for a Masters in Creative Writing so that I could perhaps teach. But now I needed a different degree and at a different school. My oldest daughter was also starting her journey in her Masters for Library Science. We started the same semester, attending virtually the University of South Carolina. In a year and a half I had my MLIS and the title Library Director. Again, I couldn’t have done it without my daughter’s help, and the support of family and friends. As before, I graduated just a few weeks after my younger daughter graduated with her BS in Psychology. Funny how there seems to be a pattern to these things.
In four short years I gained two degrees, started a new career, saw my daughters graduate college,my son graduate high school, had the girls get engaged, one got married, I got married….who knew this would happen and so fast? It’s been a chaotic few years and yet so many milestones worth celebrating. Sure, there’s been tears and hardships and struggles, but that’s part of life. If you don’t have the hardships and tears, how can you appreciate the joys? It’s yin and yang. Push and pull. Ups and downs. You have to have the balance.
LIfe is truly an amazing journey. I have no clue what tomorrow holds, much less next year, but I know it will be a wild ride, and as long as I have a hand to squeeze, I know I will survive it and maybe even enjoy a bit of it. ;)
~Pax tibi
P.S.
I apologize if the writing of this is far to rambling, and all the spelling and grammatical errors. I’m supposed to be getting ready for work but just had to get these thoughts out of my head but there’s no time for proof-reading.
The point of all this sharing is not only to help me, but to help you too. Embrace the journey, embrace the ride. I’m not a fan of roller coasters, but every now and then my family manages to get me on a ride. They know I will scream, maybe even say a few choice words, I may even cry, but I hold tight to the person next to me, trusting them to support and protect me. Find that person or higher power that you can cling to when the ride gets scary, trust them. Even if you end up not liking the ride, you may be surprised at what you can survive.
Coffee Dribble 