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Abandoning a Dream

 For 8 straight years I have applied and interviewed for teaching jobs in the Austin area; I have added additional certifications; attended professional developments, job fairs, sent handwritten letters to principals with professional portfolios.  I hired a coach to help with interviewing strategies / techniques and have had my resume revamped by a professional.  I have sent "thank you" notes after interviews, even asked interviewers for input.  I am very exhausted from all this.  For whatever reason, this career path is not meant to be.  As painful as it is, I have decided to abandon this dream.  I no longer have the emotional ability to question it but instead accept it on blind faith.

Thirteen years ago when my life took a sudden and drastic detour, I was left scrambling for some sense of normalcy.  There were many days at the beginning when I wanted to give up.  I didn't.  Instead, I re-envisioned a future and set about creating it.  What I envisioned was this:  I wanted to get re-married and spend my life teaching / raising my family.  Now, all this time later, I have abandoned the last part of that vision.  Not only am I still single, but teaching has not materialized as a viable career path for me.  My sorrow knows no words, and I have no strength to do anything except succumb to realities and move forward.

I can't say why I am still single.  Especially for as long as I have been.  I haven't even come close to remarriage - haven't even had a proper relationship.  Accepting this fact was made easier by being a mom.  With the girls in my home, I knew that bringing in a new husband would be difficult for them.  But teaching?  I honestly have no deflection for this failure.  It just is a failure.

The cliches don't work.  I've tried.  When I see or hear them, I scoff.  "Ha! Whatever!"
I am not giving up defeated.  I know that letting go of one thing makes way for another.  I have faith in God's plan for me.

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