Hanging up the headset…the final chapter!

Well today makes one full month since I hung up the headset and I have to say I am happy!! I really had no idea how I’d feel at this point but I am pleasantly surprised!!

I enjoyed one week at home by myself to decompress and learn to be awake in the daylight again! We then took a partial family vacation to Florida, I say partial because only our son was with us, our daughter didn’t take the trip. We had some great times; got to see family we hadn’t seen in several years, took a day trip to New Orleans to experience the French Quarter, drove through seven states, saw 42 different license plates and took a boat ride to the Gulf of Mexico!

I am now two weeks into my role at State Farm and I must say I am loving a “normal” work schedule again. It’s been quite a while since I’ve lived in that office environment but I feel like I’ve eased right back into it. I’ve got a lot to learn when it comes to the specific job but I’m definitely excited abut the company I am working for and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds.

In this “new” life we are living we’ve gotten to spend so much time together and experience some fun stuff. Just to give you an example, I just took a pause from my writing to go shoot the BB gun just because my husband asked me if I wanted to. It’s really what life is all about and what so many people seem to miss. That was the main reason I made the choice I did, because to put it quite simply, I was tired of not living!

Do I miss dispatching, a little bit. I miss my favorite radio, working with my county boys (and girls); and yes they will always remain “mine”. When you are in that line of work, and their safety is on the line, they become family whether you’ve ever met them or not. I know that I was good at my job, that’s not pride, that’s confidence in my abilities. A part of my heart will always remain with the field, but I knew that I had to walk away.

I’m not ruling out that I will stay away forever. If nothing else I’m sure I may end up working part-time at a dispatch center sometime in the future. For now though, a break was much needed and has been much appreciated. I’m also finding a way to channel my passion for law enforcement by following the upcoming sheriff’s race in the county where I live as well as supporting a candidate who is running. Check out www.wade4sheriff.com I know there are ways I can continue to support those boys in blue without being on the other radio and I hope to continue to find those ways.

I’ve also been doing a lot more soul searching, reading and listening to podcasts to grow myself. This small town girl has some big dreams; ways to grow this blog, grow a business, grow a following and most of all LIVE LIFE the way I want to. I appreciate everyone who has followed me so far and allowed me to just talk. I hope to make much more of a regular presence in your lives and I hope to find things to share that reach your hearts the way others have reached mine.

So the final chapter has come and gone much quicker than I thought. I’m also doing a lot better with the end then I thought I would. To all of those still holding down that Thin Gold Line, I appreciate you more than you know and I think for the sacrifices that I know you are making each and every day to do your job.

~Carla~