Aside from all the political bullshit, it was a pretty good week. It is hard not to get drawn into it but at some point my mental health won’t take anymore. I decided (for the umpteenth time) to focus on something, anything really, that is different and hopefully positive. That opportunity came about in two profoundly different ways. First was the culmination of my “career pivot” plan. It had started out as an idea in June as the pandemic started settling in. I was and would remain employed during the pandemic but the economic impact was severe and I saw no likelihood in it improving anytime soon. As I continued my schooling my plan continued to unfold, like pieces of a puzzle falling into place. On this day the final pieces came together. Early that morning, my first SS check arrived electronically, assuring my financial safety net. Later that same day I informed my boss I was leaving to pursue other interests. It may seem funny, or least odd that a 66-year old could get excited about a new career but I am. At my age I should be staring down retirement I suppose, not looking to start a new career, but nothing is as it was—or will be again. I have only told a small and select few of my plans, two of which expressed a desire to use my services in the future—a good omen I think. To provide the smoothest transition possible, I will stay on in a limited capacity through late February. The day concluded with a text from my youngest, asking me to call because he had good news. I am always up for good news and assumed it was regarding his business or a home remodel update. Imagine my surprise when his good news was informing me that he wanted me to list a large family property, becoming my first sale. A very good day indeed.

The second positive was getting a message from an unknown family member on 23andMe, a popular DNA site. First, a short backstory. My domain name is Curious Roots.com which comes from my continuing search for family; Roots. I am an only child raised by a distant and secretive mother. So much so that I knew little regarding relatives and absolutely nothing about my father. It would be twenty-years after her death before I decided to look for family including my father. DNA provided that and so much more with one exception. The Hansen line has remained elusive and in many ways, invisible. I have been able to build a nice relationship with many on my deceased fathers side, but painfully little on my mothers side. Today I got a hit from a Hansen, and more importantly, they seem as interested in exploring our roots as I am.