After 20 years in the same salon, it was hard to leave. There were so many reasons to leave but not the ones that usually prompt a change.
This summer was the summer of no tan, no swimming and no vacation for me. I took on a new career or rather two new careers. The first as the Coordinator of Pastoral care for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. This lets me do work in a ministry area that is close to my heart by leading the chastity talks to the youth in our area, hoping to make a difference in the choices they make upon entering high school. In other words, maybe they can do things in a better way than I did. I also get to coordinate Project Rachel which helps women who are suffering from post abortive stress. 1 out of 3 women have had an abortion and many suffer the forbidden grief that Project Rachel tries to heal.
As if that was not enough, I took on the position as Director of Community Life at St. Johns. This position is about energizing our parish and engaging parishioners. As a "HOLY EVENT PLANNER" I hope to motivate parishioners to live in community and form lasting friendships, helping them to live an authentic family life. There is much work to be done and with the help of the Holy Spirit I hope to do the work I am called to effectively. In case you are wondering, I am still homeschooling and yes I do think I am a slight bit crazy.
All of these changes make it quite impossible to work many hours as a stylist and God willing I will be able to retire from that sometime soon. I have a relationship with my clients and I love them so I have to try and hang on at least for a while which means a change in salons for me. This is bittersweet because leaving to work with my cousin, Kim as she chose a new salon makes me happy but leaving the comfort of a place I have been for 20 years and a boss I loved is hard. I worked with her for 20 years and watched her daughter grow up into a wonderful woman. But on my last day there were no warm goodbyes, hugs or understanding of why. There was just a text message asking me to leave my key. Heartbroken, I left and waited until I got into the car to cry. I have to make a choice to remember the good times, be grateful for the opportunity my friend Donna has given me to continue to be a part time stylist and create new memories with a new team.
For I know the plans I have you, says the Lord, plans for welfare, not for evil, to give you hope and a future...Jeremiah 29:11
