Today, I received my official FS contract and information. It sort of feels like winning the lottery. But it comes with some anxiety. There are many arrangements to be made. Finding a residence in DC. Figuring out how to have the State Government foot the bill. Paper work. Returning to Seattle for the Memorial Day weekend. Leaving the family behind. Fixing it so that my last day at OHSU leaves me with insurance until we start the FS. Buying staples to take with us to Niamey or wherever it is we end up. Tying up loose ends. And fixing those images of our extended family in our minds so that when we are gone for a time, we don't forget the pictures.
I expect that DC on my own for 3 weeks will go by relatively fast. And I will see Dina and the kids in Seattle for Milla's 50th!
Camille is having a hard time accepting the fact that we are leaving Portland. She gets distraught and cries. This pulls at my heart strings and I try to explain to her that we have the opportunity of a life time. The pluses far outweigh the minuses and NO!, I'm not trying to ruin her life! It's hard. She can't imagine her world outside of Portland. Sometimes she does say that "when we live in Africa..." So I think she's coming to grips but still, it's going to be the hardest on her.
Stefan on the other hand has been a supportive brother. He strokes her and reminds her of all the exotic animals we're going to see. In her moments of despair, this annoys her but she knows that he is caring for her. A 4 year old trying to comfort an 8 year old. She's the one that usually supports him.
Everyone knows moves are stressful. Even if the government is moving you and taking care of everything. The emotional wave of excitement and anxiety seems accentuated.