... the work gods listened

So I was just re-reading my last post, & by the end I was smiling from ear to ear.   A few days after posting it, one of my husband's closest friends tells my husband about a position at his work that just became available that might be perfect for me.   It's in their marketing department as a marketing assistant.  After hearing about the job, it's just exactly what I have been wanting to do for years! It would involve working on their website, helping with blogs, and social media content. I love being on social media and have dreamt of a job with elements of that involved.  In fact it's kind of funny cause I used to throw it out there to my friends and family that I would handle their social media accounts for them ie: blogs, podcast, businesses, etc.   Anything that they were trying to draw in more traffic to I was all about doing it for them, I offered to do it for free! NO one ever took me up on it, but the idea of it was exciting to me! I loved the idea of helping them grow their followers, etc.   I enjoy connecting with people on my own social media, especially twitter! It's my favorite! Also, because Emily was born premature and we were involved in the March of Dimes for years, "Walk America" & after that "March for Babies" charitable walks, I would use my own social media pages to try and get more donations for our March of Dime's family team's fundraising page!  Over the years, we did a lot of fundraising for March of Dimes!  We often would be in the TOP 5 Family teams for our county. That's where it started, where I realized I enjoyed doing things involved with social media.   Anyway, I never really thought I'd find a job that would pay me, I assumed that one would have to have a degree in something like that to actually find a job.  I knew I would really enjoy a job like that, though! I guess you could say it was my secret dream job.  The thing is that I never even considered looking for something like that for a long time, even if I put aside my fear that I was un-hirable due to my lack of  "traditional" education! I didn't drive and I always was kind of stuck working within walking distance of our home, because I didn't want to be a burden but now that Brian is working remote 100%, it has freed me up to think about other positions.  In fact a job that has a set schedule is ideal, like 9 to 5 is better for us right now.   Brian can lock out the times he has to take or pick me up.  He encouraged me to look outside retail and do something I ABSOLUTELY wanted to do, and this opportunity came at the exact moment I was feeling ready to get back to work.  I needed a break after doing something I was unhappy at for a long time,  I needed to get my head on right, to take the mental & physical break I so needed.  I was blessed to have a supportive husband & the chance to recovery from the exhaustion I have been feeling for some time over working without happiness for so long.  Retail is a tough job, during Covid- it was made worse.  I was very scared & nervous to put myself out there on a job I wasn't sure they would feel I was qualified for, BUT I DID IT! I decided to send them a resume, and a honest heartfelt cover letter about why I knew I could do the job, I explained that most of my career has been in retail, but I was so ready for a new challenge and how I knew the skills one gains from being a manager in retail, could be very helpful to them too and then I wrote about my personal experiences with social media, the fact I've had a blog for 16 years with more than 500 post & have tweeted over 18,000 tweets, amassing nearly 2800 followers on twitter alone, & my love for all things social media! They called me the next day! I was so excited but so so nervous.  I'm not going to lie I doubted myself at times, I knew everything I said in my resume was the truth, and I knew if given the chance I could do the job, but I also was letting the fear win a bit, but... in the end it didn't win.  I went, I did well... & I walked out thinking well... I tried, and I was proud of that.  The decision was in their hands now, but I was proud of myself for putting myself out there, trying out for something that was completely new!  Grateful they interviewed me, took a chance and worse thing that could come out of it, was gaining experience.  Brian was a big help with that!  He really encouraged me! Emily did too! She was being positive and telling me, "I could do it!" and "Good Luck!".  I'm not the bravest person but in that moment I did the brave thing and put myself out there!  It made me feel good to show my daughter that its important to go for something you really want, Emily has shown me that all her life and I'm glad for once I got to show her it too.  I think of my brave freshman daughter who on her own decided to go out for the school musical.. or to live on her own at a college that is almost 2 hours away, as a person on the spectrum and an only child that isn't the easiest choice, and if she could do it, well...  I could do this! I hope she is a bit proud of her mom, like I am of her all the time! Anyway, the next day, I got the call that I GOT THE JOB! I felt really happy and allowed myself a day of happy before the nerves kicked in again... could I really do it? They didn't stay too long... "just keep swimming, right?!" I've been there a month exactly TODAY, and every day I'm learning lots of new things.  One of my greatest strengths is, wanting to do a good job! I think they see that in me. I AM SO HAPPY! Everyone is so nice, our office space is BIG & beautiful, the lobby area has a water fall & there is even a lake you can stroll around on your hour long lunch break. I even had off on PRESIDENT'S day, I joked that working retail, I've had to work Thanksgiving & Christmas before.... & I was paid to be off on President's day! WOW! That's huge! 😃😍  I haven't been even a minute late to work, I am enjoying it so much, I'm sure I probably ask too many questions... just eager to learn! They have said they love my positivity! It's easy to be positive when you honestly are enjoying the work you are doing! I am happy to go to work, & that's such a great feeling! I know I am blessed with a wonderful daughter, a great husband, a great new job where not only am I happy but I'm making a bit more money, believe me I'll try to help people a bit more too because of it. So while the world continues to make me sad at time, and especially with what is happening to the people of Ukraine and all the fears that brings to every one.... I will keep trying to focus on the positive & to do what I can to help this crazy world when & where I can.