So it turned out that managing a restaurant and helping to manage a 24/7 resort doesn’t leave much time to write blog entries or really think about what you want to do with your life.
But when I was thrown the curve ball of a layoff on January 15, 2009, I took matters into my own hands. Instead of sulking around in the house (in seven layers of sweaters and not wanting to get into the cold) and focusing on the fact that I was jobless for the first time in my life, I took a step many wouldn’t have even thought of.
I opened my eyes, ears, my mind and my heart, and took a leap of faith, starting with a visit to my brother and sister-in-law in Panama City, Panama.
Brother Kris, sis in law Magaly and Me!
As our trip progressed, we visited cousin Gina and her husband Chris at Rancho de Caldera, in the province of Chiriqui in Western Panama.
Gina and Chris had the courage and the vision to build a beautiful resort from nothing and they now have something incredible that attracts visitors from all over the world. (www.ranchodecaldera.com)
It turned out that they were just about to open a restaurant on the property and the timing of my visit, couldn’t have been better to help them out. So that is exactly what I did.
For one month I was incredibly busy, but incredibly happy to be helping family, making friends and enjoying the happiness that comes from a daily infusion of Vitamin D, courtesy of the sun!
So many stories to tell – and I want to share them via this blog, hopefully giving someone hope that they can take a different road while experiencing a layoff, and know that it is okay, and it may actually give you some hope and joy in the process.
Double Rainbow in my Panamanian Paradise!
More to come…… Stories from my month in Panama and me sharing my life in the hope of helping others. Humor cures all things upsetting… that and friends and family!
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | caldera, hopefullness after job loss, job loss, laid off, layoffs, Panama, tourism panama, tourist in panama
Mary!
Love the pix of the double rainbow. How amazing. It was great to catch up at least a little with you on the phone. Your Panama adventure sounds wonderful. Now, if we can only get more time off to get away…..
Chat soon. Glad you’re back safe and sound.
Love, Pam
What an adventure, Mary! I have every confidence (and there’s a lot of evidence) that you’ll come out on the other side stronger and happier than you could possibly have imagined.