A chance to move home.

Early last October I was informed that the Dean position at the ITT Tech in Wichita was vacant. I sat at my desk here in Oklahoma City and wondered if I should even consider asking for the transfer. It would be a lateral move (no extra money) and there was no budget for relocation (I'd have to fund the move). To be honest--the answer was pretty quick to arrive. Of course I would put in for this transfer. Even though I have built a terrific life for myself here in OKC; even though I've made dozens of new friends and leaving them would be difficult; even though I've been successful in the position here--all of that pales in comparison to returning to my home town (a city I've grown even MORE fond of since leaving), a chance to return to my church and choir that I adore, a chance to return being active in the lives of my family and tribe in Wichita--these things trumped one year in Oklahoma. So, I applied for the transfer on that fine Monday morning.

From that moment until last Wednesday (Nov, 23, 2009) my life was in limbo. Yet I was never for a moment in any turmoil. I truly felt that whatever happened-happened. If the transfer was approved great--if not, I had my life here already established. I just did not want to regret missing the chance to return home when it seemed to present itself so obviously.

Last Wednesday, after some last minute, heart-stopping thrills and stops and regretful no-can-do's concerning company policy, etc, the offer was made and I accepted.

Spending a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family made me very grateful for the transfer--to be close to all of them again is enough in itself.

The warm return to UCC on Sunday made me know ever more so that this was a great choice.

Coming soon will be a post about the lessons I've learned in my time in Oklahoma.

But for now, this grateful Kansas boy is heading north--to home.

Pax,

Paul