A job!

April 14, 2023

Yes!  I landed a job after 13 years of unemployment at the mature age of 59 years old.    

I never prepared a resume or went through an interview process.  Add the absence of a job for years, being an amputee, and my age.  Where does one begin?  I had spent so much time in the last decade alone doing personal research, several hours on telephone conversations with insurance claims and approvals, in and out of hospitals and doctor offices.  Friends and family encouraged me with suggestions on exploring a computer or remote job with my knowledge from these experiences.  But I yearned to be outside and around people.  My passion and work history before my injuries as a horse barn manager would be challenging with a one-hand disability.  It wasn’t like I needed the job financially.  It is more for my mental wellness and feeling contributive.  

As Jeff and I began our next life chapter in our new home in Northport, I knew I wanted to engage in the community.  I was quintessentially looking at the area for hiking trails near me—a job ad appeared for a seasonal work position at the state park five miles from our home.  It read, if interested, complete an application, so I did.  A few months later, I received an email asking if you were still interested, complete the attached form with a copy of your resume or school transcript, and someone in the park will notify you.  In my head, I was thinking, no way will I be a candidate.  Oh, what the hell.  I have nothing to lose.  I completed the form and attached my resume with an excellent referral letter from my previous employer.  A few days later, I received an email requesting a Zoom interview.  The night before the interview, I was up all night, throw-up sick with nervousness.

Again, I pulled up my boots and went on the Zoom meeting, acting like myself.  As my husband would say, it could be dangerous with my strong personality.  The Zoom meeting went great, with a conditional job offer right there.  The official offer will be after the background check and drug test.  Today, all is clear, and I start Monday, April 17th.  I am a part-time seasonal assistant park ranger at Leelanau State Park.  I am glad I didn’t let my self-pity define me and took the leap of faith.  As I mature, my robust, tenacious personality has been my strength and weakness; learning balance seems to make good in my life.