I had horrible dreams last night – meteors crashing to earth and creatures coming out of a mire – of course, I was trying to photograph them.  I’m always taking photographs in my dreams.

And then I dreamed of an abandoned kitten in a desk drawer – I rescued it.

Other than that, I tossed and turned mostly – denied my dog’s request to go outside and tried to snatch some sleep back that was taken from me.

When I got up, I looked up the significance of meteors – and was surprised to read that they represented success in a project.  I then looked up kitten …

‘To see a kitten in your dream represents a transitional phase toward independence.  You are ready to explore new things that life has to offer.  Alternatively, the dream symbolizes innocence and purity.’

Well, let’s be realistic, I had to assume the first interpretation applied to me.

Got ready, fed the dog, caught up on the news, packed my lunch and went to work.

I spent approximately an hour there before I received a phone call telling me I was laid off.

Just – like – that.

Damn kitten!

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I liken the collecting and packing of personal items at work to that of a child packing to run away.

It’s usually done under emotional and stressful circumstances and you end up leaving important things behind and taking things you don’t need.

It wasn’t until I was driving home, realizing my key chain was one key lighter,  that I remembered I forgot to grab my lunch.

There really isn’t much time to say ‘good bye’ or to leave a place properly when you’ve been asked to leave.

And this isn’t my first redundancy rodeo.  This is the second time this year I’ve been laid off.

Not fired.

Let’s make that clear.  I give 110% in all I do.

I won’t share the reasons or the company – just suffice it to say, changes were inevitable, I just didn’t expect I was on the chopping block today at all. 

Blindsided by that damn kitten.

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I am blessed though.

I am feeling positive.

I have proven to myself that I am capable of rising from the ashes and making the best of a situation, and this time will be no different.

I am not a ‘why me?’ person – I am an optimistic, realistic ‘why not me’ person.

And I have learned many lessons over the past few years and one of them is that you just stay in motion and  keep showing up with a smile on your face and your hard work and attitude will be noticed.

And it was.

I am very fortunate to have some options that I am weighing.

I am very fortunate to have a healthy son.  Loving family.  Amazing friends.

I have my sight, my hearing, my voice – the use of all of my limbs and am pain-free.

Today.

And all I have is today.

With a determined eye to the future and a willingness to change and learn.