In January I passed a milestone in my life.
I became 60 years old.
In my previous blog, I shared a very personal event. My dear aunt / second mother had died. It happened a week before my birthday.
Honestly, I didn't feel like celebrating.
So it was kept quiet, and only my family were with me.
It was fitting, and I am glad that it was a quiet time for reflection and healing.
This past week, it is like a page has turned over.
A new fresh unwritten chapter has begun. Waiting to be written. By me.
I have a JOB. I had applied for it, thinking that my chances were almost zero. My age is the major issue, here in Holland. Since I am in the senior age bracket, they are legally bound to pay a decent minimum salary. So any excuse not to hire an older person is fabricated. Excuses like you are OVER qualified, or that I don't fit their "profile" that they are looking for.
But these people saw something in me, that I would be useful for them.
Ok, it is for a few hours a week, but a real working paying job.
And it is something that I am good at.
Something that I have done all my life, and now I am being paid for it.
Basically, I am a helper in a daycare centre for children. Everything from babies to age 12. Before school, during school, until dinner time when they are picked up. My work is to be a practical helper. Prepping snack, doing laundry (and we know how much laundry babies and kids can create). To also do the chores, and projects that they rarely have time to get to. A practical "mom" job.
First days are fun. All these little people sense that I am new. So I am followed everywhere I go, in the centre.
Since grandchildren are not (yet) on the horizon, this is the next best way to fill that spot.
Just the feeling of being needed, and able to do practical help boost my spirits and self-worth. Those few hours per week has opened a new phase in my world, and I am grateful to have been given this chance.
New days, new phase, a new beginning.
New chapter, titled: 60 means a new adventure.
I became 60 years old.
In my previous blog, I shared a very personal event. My dear aunt / second mother had died. It happened a week before my birthday.
Honestly, I didn't feel like celebrating.
So it was kept quiet, and only my family were with me.
It was fitting, and I am glad that it was a quiet time for reflection and healing.
This past week, it is like a page has turned over.
A new fresh unwritten chapter has begun. Waiting to be written. By me.
I have a JOB. I had applied for it, thinking that my chances were almost zero. My age is the major issue, here in Holland. Since I am in the senior age bracket, they are legally bound to pay a decent minimum salary. So any excuse not to hire an older person is fabricated. Excuses like you are OVER qualified, or that I don't fit their "profile" that they are looking for.
But these people saw something in me, that I would be useful for them.
Ok, it is for a few hours a week, but a real working paying job.
And it is something that I am good at.
Something that I have done all my life, and now I am being paid for it.
Basically, I am a helper in a daycare centre for children. Everything from babies to age 12. Before school, during school, until dinner time when they are picked up. My work is to be a practical helper. Prepping snack, doing laundry (and we know how much laundry babies and kids can create). To also do the chores, and projects that they rarely have time to get to. A practical "mom" job.
First days are fun. All these little people sense that I am new. So I am followed everywhere I go, in the centre.
Since grandchildren are not (yet) on the horizon, this is the next best way to fill that spot.
Just the feeling of being needed, and able to do practical help boost my spirits and self-worth. Those few hours per week has opened a new phase in my world, and I am grateful to have been given this chance.
New days, new phase, a new beginning.
New chapter, titled: 60 means a new adventure.
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