I asked for it, and I got it! In my recent diary disclosing big changes in my life, Collision of Personal & Political: I Need Your Help, I asked for help, and help is what I received. In an abundant and overflowing way. I wanted to let you-all know what is going on now.
And I have some happy news to share too! Last March (which seems almost a million years ago) we, as a family, made some decisions around Christmas.
Oh, Happy New Year! ? The church calendar started over the 4th Sunday before Christmas. Our western calendar New Year is right around the corner. And Chinese/Lunar new year is in early February. The "new year" idea is helping me look forward, make plans, prepare for more changes, and start to dream again.
First of all, zillions of YOU worked on the vote. Now, the results were not always what we hoped for, however, the fact that so many kos-friends knocked on doors and distributed door hangers and phone banked and all those other campaign activities - that rocked!
Second of all, zillions of you offered so much support and caring and love in that diary, and since, in so many ways. My Mojo Friday friends have been there every day. Jenn's United Girlfriends (waves to the gals) sent generous gift certificates to my favorite spa. One of my neighbors is taking care of trash and snow and that is a huge relief! Ballerina X, Utah Voter, and middleaged housewife have been excellent lunch companions, and Ballerina X even found my house one day. I had to feed her fresh sourdough bread, of course. My kids' godparents have been around, and providing child care, and special time and events with the kids too.
I will never been able to thank all my friends enough! But I am trying ;-)
All my legal divorce paperwork is filed and I am waiting for mediation to start after the holidays. Things get pretty crazy on some days still, but overall I think I'm making progress. The kids are doing better than I expect sometimes, and also have days that challenge me. They are both in counseling and the counselors work with both future X and I.
Mele Kalikimaka! The kids and I are spending 3 weeks in Hawaii, starting tomorrow! Future X will be on Oahu the first week for a scientific conference (per original plans), and the kids and I fly to Maui for 2 weeks by ourselves over Christmas and New Years.
I have been blessed to spend time in Hawaii many times before, and I am familiar with stuff. It's always easy to be happy in Hawaii for me, and for the kids.
I am so excited and a little nervous and so tickled we get to use these tickets! I am not a fan of winter, although Salt Lake City has been pretty mild for a few weeks. The warm, the sun, the beach . . . it's a dream come true!
I hope to find kos-friends begone and Haole in Hawaii for lunch or something while we're in Waikiki. And to take the kids on lots of field trips. And take lots of sunset photos. And sunshine photos. And palm tree photos. And smiling kids photos.
All photos are mine, from our previous trip to Oahu and Maui, October 2008.