a new season...

I did it.  I finished my school year on Wednesday.  While this might not seem like quite a feat, to me, it's huge.  Last summer, right around this time, I felt like the Lord was preparing me to go back to work.  I had so many reservations about this, but I knew that if it was meant to be then things would fall into place.  Long story short, they fell into place perfectly.  More than perfectly.  However, at that point there were still so many things going on that my mind couldn't comprehend how working would even be possible.  Keith passed away on August 28th, 2010 and I missed the last bit of teacher in-service plus the first three weeks of school.  Once I started back I remember thinking several times, "Man, I hope I can get through this year.  If I can just make it to the end..."  And I did!

The kids left last Thursday and at the end of the day when I was in my room by myself I looked up to the ceiling and said, "I did it, Babe.  I did it."  And I felt so...accomplished.  More times than not I've found myself looking back this year to where I was the previous year at the same time.  Last year at this time Keith was in the nursing home and his hospital trips were becoming more frequent and more serious.  I've been through much since then and I've come a REALLY long way.

I'm ready to see what this next year has in store and I pray it's full of good things.