Retreat

Three times a year, my staff and I go to the Meridian Center and do power planning for the upcoming semester - once in July for the fall, once in January for spring, and once in May for summer. Today, I had asked one of the school employees from the Wellness Center to come help us sort through the aftermath of having to lay off one of our own. The layoffs were campus wide, every department was affected. But those left behind are as affected as those who had to be asked to leave.

So for the entire morning, we looked at what we were feeling, where we were, how to move forward, plotting details, and having some honest conversation about what we were not comfortable with, what we were willing to live with, what we were concerned about. I am very blessed to have such a fantastic staff remaining who, though admittedly not taking on things they would have selected on their own choice, nevertheless are willing to step up and do stuff, and with a decision to be happy about it.

It felt excellent to be part of the normal world of stress and strain and pressure for a bit, to know that things go on as before, changing, challenging, ever moving in directions brought forth by forces greater than yourself. Of course, that didn't last long. A half day of work was fine, but I had to have lab work done in the afternoon after which I headed home, not completely exhausted but definitely looking forward to sitting with my feet elevated and snoozing, which I did almost as soon as I sat down. Whew! First day back - well, half day. On our way, chemo and all.