An Interesting Christmas (so far)

Familiar with the curse, “may you live in interesting times”?

Well, things are quite interesting around here right now.

And not necessarily all bad.

I’m currently unemployed, but that’s been coming for a few months.  I’m unemployed about a month earlier than I would’ve liked, but that’s okay, I’m drawing severance until mid-March.

My impending trip to Texas to find new employment and a new place to settle (two weeks!) alternates between exciting me and stressing me.  I’ll be staying with my stepmother initially,  but desire for my own space and refusal to impose on family any longer than absolutely necessary dictates that I’ll have to find a temporary crash pad of my own.  Don’t worry, my relationship with my stepmother is solid, and I intend on keeping it that way.

Looks like I’ll be separated from Yes Dear and PBJ for about five months, until school gets out.  Which I’m NOT looking forward to.

Both Yes Dear and I agree that our best future lies out in Texas, and that I need to go ahead and secure a job before the rest of them come out.  We also agree that a temporary separation, though forced by the circumstances, may also be in our best interests.  Things have been stressful lately, and I’ve been battling some personal issues of my own that seem to pop up with me about every ten-fifteen years.  Don’t worry, nothing serious, mostly just a cyclic depression.

Truth is I need a change.  Of employment, of scenery, of my life.  And this may be the only time where I am financially able to take a risk and make some changes.

Crap, it’s almost Christmas isn’t it?  Almost forgot.  Got off to rambling and forgot about the holiday cheer.

Actually it isn’t turning out too bad so far.  The relaxation from work is great, Yes Dear will be off for nine days after tonight, and all the shopping is done.  And all I’m looking for on Christmas is a couple of good books, a nice dinner, and some relaxation with family (not a lot of tangible material stuff I want anymore) And one other important thing, but that will be the interesting part.  We may even go visit my sister in Columbus after this weekend.

I won’t have net access again until the weekend (closed library).  So I wish a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy Holidays, or Blessings from the Higher Powers, whatever you may believe, to all those out there, and may it be joyous and festive, and safe.

Now for the interesting part.

Can’t remember if I’ve ever blogged about my eldest daughter.  The one with some disabilities (borderline autisetic).

We’ve been estranged from her for over a year, due to some ongoing family issues that I may blog about someday, but am not quite ready to.  Unfortunately her mental challenges make it difficult to make up with her for any length of time because of the way she sees the world and processes things.  We know she was planning on getting married, fortunately to someone we’re familiar with, before the last big rift.  Her husband (yes, we did hear she got married) has some mental issues too, so we were worried about them making it on their own.  Fortunately they live close to his family, and his mother is very supportive.

Now that I’ve given a little brief background, I’ll go in for the kill.

Two weeks ago, she had a little baby boy.

So I’ve become a grandpa.  At age 40.

And I’m still picking up pieces of my shattered jaw off the floor.

So my one biggest wish this Christmas is this: that we may be able to reconcile with her enough to be a part of her life and our grandson’s life.

~ by The Real Dave on December 23, 2008.