Let Me Hold You Longer

It's a weekend of lasts for me here.
I am so excited to be going back to work for a company that has so much to offer. I am eagerly anticipating getting back in the swing of things I already know how to do. I am looking forward to re-training and getting recertified for the many things I did when working there before.
But, lest it seem like I am simply bursting with glee at the changes heading my way, let me tell you. I am filled with trepidation and fear.
I will be leaving my family every day to go do something they do not participate in. I will be entering a world they have never seen and begin to speak of things they know not about.
I will need to organize and plan, which has never come easy for me. I will have to rely on my husband and children in a way I never have. I will be tired and sore and cranky. But I will get stronger. I will probably lose a little weight, even. I will work hard and feel a sense of accomplishment.
Meanwhile, I'm going to go lie down with my son for a few minutes on this last weekend I have before becoming a working mom.
And I will try very hard not to cry.

These boots are made for...

When you start at FedEx, you never know where you will end up. The whole operation is massive, and the hub is acres upon acres.
The job may take you inside, where you move packages, or it may take you outside, where you move containers of packages.
And if you get lucky, you may get to do both.
But whatever the case, the safety shoes you are required to wear will need to last you for a while. It is wise to choose well. I chose a pair of waterproof ones.
Another of my fellow hirees was looking around at the selection, and in my desire to help a girl out, since I've been here before, I suggested to her that she select waterproof shoes, as well.
"What for?"
"Just in case they get wet."
"Well, I ain't working outside!"
I just looked at her in amazement. There is no way she knows where she's going.
I told her she will be outside if they assign her to an outside position.
I don't see her making it.

She works hard for the money

So, anyway....

I found the number after rummaging through the caller ID and dialed it. The nice lady on the other end transferred me to the lady who manages the night shift applications.

And you know what? She was nice, too. She told me that the hiring session for that week was full, but to call her on Wednesday this week and she'd get me into Friday's session.

But then Monday, while I was minding my own business, floating around in the pool by myself while everyone I know and love is at camp, the cell phone rang.

"Mrs. Thomas, this is (insert name here) from FedEx. I was calling about your application and wondered if you were still interested in working for us."

"Absolutely! Can I start tomorrow?"

"Well, almost. Come in Wednesday morning for a hiring session. Bring two forms of ID and...."

So as of this morning, I am gainfully employed by the great company known as FedEx.

Yippee!!!

Patience, the missing virtue

Yes, I know that you already know it. I am NOT a patient person.

But when the lady from FedEx tells me she will call, I expect a call. I wait around by the phone, like a girl waiting for a boy to call.

The phone does not ring.

Ring, phone. Ring.

*silence*

I flip through the caller ID, looking for the number.

I find it.

Would it be right to call?

I could just act like I missed a call...
But that wouldn't be honest.

Honesty is the best policy.

I know patience is a virtue. I know.

Shut up.

So I ask my BFF if calling might be running ahead of God.

She thinks so.

I ask my pastor's wife if it would be running ahead of God.

She thinks it's a great idea actually.

I ask my husband if he thinks it would be running ahead of God.

He finally caves and says to call on Friday, if they don't call Thursday.

But then he warns me that I might not like what I get if I make that call.

So still I fret. Still I pray that God would help me not run ahead of Him.

Then I ask a good friend who works within the company. (no, I don't think she is going to do anything to help. She works in a totally different division. I just need her perspective, as one who works for this giant mega-machine)

She says that showing initiative in this job market is actually a good idea, and suggests I call.

So I do.

(to be continued...)

What to do?

What a week! Last Thursday I got the call back from FedEx I was waiting for, but I got it while I was typing a letter to my sister's boss, who wanted me to apply for a full time job. I was telling her I was interested in hearing more, and the phone rang. It was (what'shername) from FedEx, calling to see if I was available to come the next morning for a hiring session. This is code for an interview and lift test, I think...

I spun a little out of control. I freaked. What was God trying to say to me?! Which job should I take? Going to work full time meant days and a cushy office job. FedEx meant nights and hard manual labor. Full time meant putting Caleb in school with Hailey, and not being a stay at home mom anymore. FedEx meant getting to keep Caleb home for another year and still staying home with him. Full time meant getting to go to bed with my husband, who says he doesn't sleep well without me, and being a slave to an alarm clock. FedEx meant getting to sleep until I wake up, and indulging my not-a-morning-person self. Full time meant going into an unfamiliar line of work and learning a whole new thing. FedEx meant going to familiar surroundings and doing a job I can do well and already know how to do, and feel confident in my ability to shine.

There were so many pros and cons to each possibility, that my head was spinning.

I couldn't go in to FedEx on Friday morning, as I had another commitment, so I asked if I could come next week. The nice lady said she'd call me back next week and set it up. This bought me a little time. Then on Friday morning I went in to the full time job office and filled out an application, submitted my resume, had a brief interview with the office manager, and retrieved my niece from the boss (my Friday commitment). The office manager was very nice, and informed me the position she would have available soon would be temporary, and mentioned that she knew I had heard from FedEx. I told her I was just checking my options.

Then I went home and prayed and thought some more.

That afternoon, as I was making a pros and cons chart (because the choices were that close), the office manager called and told me that she wouldn't need me until the end of July, and she hated for me to pass up working a permanent job.

So now I wait for the nice Ms. What'shername to call me back. I'm assuming she will call me tomorrow, since they do certain steps on certain days, but I really have no way of knowing.

Meanwhile, I'm trying to get my house in order and finish a few projects I have going on around here, because when I do get that call, I want to be ready.

Cuz they are going to KICK. MY. TAIL.

And I will be dawg tired.