I wrote earlier about the flooding in Catherine's apartment. As things have developed, they have realized that the apartment basically needs to be rebuilt, and instead of hoping it might be ready when classes begin tomorrow, they have announced it will be months before it is ready. Thomas spent Wednesday helping Catherine move all of her stuff into a different apartment, and we are so grateful that she gets to live with her roommate who has become a good friend. She left to go back on Thursday. I know she was ready, but it sure gets a whole lot quieter when she leaves.
Friday evening, we learned that Thomas had struggled mightily the first semester with his academics and was on probation. We talked at length discussing various options for this coming semester, and he really wants to return. Honestly, it was an incredibly mature discussion on the part of Thomas. My ONLY concern about him returning is that it's a lot of money if he isn't committed to working hard and making it work.
I should mention that the first week of January is also pretty much the busiest at both of my jobs. I worked Friday until 9:30 and worked for another couple of hours last evening after celebrating my grandmother. Can we also take a moment to point out the emotions of celebrating her birthday? It is WONDERFUL to get to celebrate her, but at 92 we can't help but be aware nothing in the future is guaranteed.
Catherine had met us at my grandmothers, so she drove straight back to her apartment. When she got home, she realized that she had an email from the nursing school. Catherine had struggled through the semester, but was able to work hard and got all her grades up to at least a "C" (and some even higher) except one class. She passed the hands-on portion of the class, but not the classroom work. Because that particular class is a pre-req for all the nursing classes this semester, she can't take any of them, and the class isn't offered again until the fall. Listening to my sweet girl cry and process this was heart-breaking. She's being incredibly proactive and reaching out with questions, inquiries, and communications, but of course it was Saturday and no one is really working. Her classes begin tomorrow also and she isn't sure where to go from this or what to do next. She has worked so hard, and I know that no matter what path comes next for her, she'll be fine. Should she take the semester off? Is there anything she can do to not lose an entire year? It's all just so much, and as we talked to her last evening, I just couldn't help but cry myself, and I hated that she wasn't here so I could just hug her and hold her.
Later in the evening, the three of us were watching TV when Thomas announced that he had an email from his school letting him know that the heat wasn't working in his dorm, and they were planning to relocate the students. At that point, I began to laugh hysterically. I mean, seriously??? Are you kidding me??? Andrew and Thomas have just arrived back at the dorm and assure me that it is indeed cold and are woking on what comes next.
This is a lot of emotion folks. And if you recall, we live in the Cincinnati area and any person who even has a marginal interest in professional football will know about the tragedy that took place this week. The news of Damar Hamlin's recovery is miraculous, and honestly, I feel that God is using him for an amazing purpose.
I'm working on taking down my Christmas decorations today. It seems appropriate, as doing so tends to spur emotions as well. I appreciate the opportunity to have some time with the memories, as that is often how I feel when I put things away. With being empty-nesters, those memories are even more poignant this year.
Praying for peace, and definitely praying for my children! It's been a lot.
No comments:
Post a Comment