Lights at Ends of Tunnels: They Happen...Fleetingly

Some much needed good news:

Met with my boss for my annual review. Always a nerve-wracking process.

It was glowing. By far the best I've received, perhaps ever. So that was obviously good news that helped ease my nerves.

But it was so much more than that for me. It was amazingly gratifying. My first year as a single dad of twin boys. A move to a new place (and town). Separation and then divorce from my now ex-wife. A year rife with a lot of high stress transitions.

Chief among them, especially in regards to my work, was raising young men by myself and balancing work. It was a really tough juggle. It still is, but I continue to get better at it. Yet, new victories also bring new challenges, as far as child rearing goes.

In any case it was extremely hard and exhausting. I often felt I could not keep up. I often didn't. Prioritizing was key. In that regard, I feel I made good choices.

At my work, we were also going through a bit of a transition, and I took on a lot more responsibilities. To be honest, I liked doing so. I like working hard and feeling I am contributing and helping. But more important, my rising to the occasion was noticed, which does not always happen. But it was.

So the praise from my boss was the culmination of all the hard work and struggle I dealt with this year. One of the most difficult of my life. To be recognized for my efforts was...god, I don't even have the words to describe it.

Raising kids can be both thankless and intensely gratifying and fulfilling. My job can be somewhat isolating in regards to interactions with my co-workers.

So this endorsement of my efforts goes a long way. I have a lot of tweaks I want to make both personally and professionally, but at least now I feel I am moving in the right direction. All my choices and decisions this year have not been great. But that is the price of decision-making. You work with what you have and know at the moment. Only hindsight can sometimes shed greater light. But then you adjust and make new decisions. I did that well, and I made enough initial good decisions to result in a successful year.

Now to keep building on that...and make this current year even better.

Props to the Life Line. Having a sounding board and outlet has been invaluable.