December 27-30, 2012 The last week of 2012…

     The day after Christmas, which was busy enough in itself, I rushed back to work where I discovered we had 8 staff members absent. We only total 15 staff in all, so for 8 to be out is HUGE! Of course, 4 of those were on planned vacations, one had asked for the day off the past Saturday, but 3 got unexpectedly sick. No matter what, it left us VERY short staffed! It was a hectic start to the workweek, especially when I didn’t feel like coming in either.  I needed to rest after the holiday too, but that’s the nature of the beast as someone has to be there to take care of the kiddos of those who don’t get a holiday break.  Unfortunately, the week didn’t get much better, as I never really caught up, continuing to fill in for sick staff members and just getting further and further behind in my usual job.  This is all in addition to stresses in my personal life concerning the future custody of my children, which ramped up this week too. It’s not something I mention often in the blog because it is such a personal matter, but I’ve been in mediation with my ex since the summer over what’s in the best future interests of our boys (since their dad’s job officially moved back to the states in July), and I can only hope and pray that God’s will be done regarding who they will live with and where in the very near future. For now, they are here with me and their dad on the same island, so I am thankful for that.  They do not have to suffer with being away from either parent, and my husband and I do not need to suffer either by being separated from them for long periods of time and over many, many miles.  We miss them during the 2 weeks a month they are at their dad’s house, but because the island is very small, we often get to catch up with them here or there at various community and school events, so we are not completely deprived of regular contact with them even during those 2 weeks.  At any rate, by Friday (when I had already scheduled to work a ½ day, so the boys and I could enjoy a few day up on Roi), my mind was full and my body was tired, ready for a break. The boys and I had been over in the school age classrooms for the morning, and as we headed back, I asked the kids to get on their bikes and head to dad’s to pick up a couple of things they had left over there and needed to pack for the trip.  I went to the office to finish up for the day. My oldest son came in and told me his brother’s bike had been hit, and the tire was bent in half.  Thank goodness it was still parked, and my son wasn’t on it, but this was the last straw for me.  I broke down; I admit it.  I didn’t know what to do. Now my son’s bike was useless, and we needed to get home, eat lunch, finish packing, and then head to the terminal to catch our flight. I didn’t have time or the energy to have to file a police report, etc…My overreaction and tears just confirmed to me how much I needed a break from my regular life.  So, here we are up on Roi, not doing much, but enjoying every minute of it.  We head back to Kwaj tomorrow in hopes of spending New Year’s Eve at the Fun Run event at midnight and settling back into our own beds. I don’t know what 2013 holds for my family, but I know God’s in charge. I hope it will start off less hectic than the last week of 2012, but if it’s doesn’t, I’ll deal with it as it comes.  It’s like my son said to me on the way home from my office after his brother’s bike had been hit, and he had seen my tears of frustration from a difficult week, “you know what my Sunday School teacher told us the other day? God will never give you more than you can handle.”  He’s right, but I have to say, sometimes it feels like He’s given me too much, and that’s when it’s time to take a deep breath, let go, and get away. Thank God for the wonderful people and island of Roi. I always feel welcome, loved, and genuinely cared for when we arrive, and I wish I could find a way to give back to them even a little of what they have given to my family over the years. For now, all I can give is my thanks and good wishes for a happy New Year, Roi Rats! J