My corner is organized, my email inbox is manageable in size, and all was left in good order. We held down the fort! It wasn't an easy week, but I have a feeling that the weeks ahead are going to be a lot harder. This week, everyone seemed to be giving me breathing room, but ahead lies a lot more work, and the work will need to be faced and tackled somehow.
I feel like a flock of one - a sheep whose shepherd has disappeared and cannot be found. (Though, of course, I have the comfort of the rod and staff of my Good Shepherd, who sits on the throne and lives to intercede for me, even at this very moment! I thank my God.)
Today at a meeting, I heard some news from another department that was quite exciting with regards to my work. My heart took a leap in the air and I thought, "Just wait until my boss hears this! He'll be so happ..." And in the same instant, my heart crashed back to the ground and I blinked back the sadness. The feet of the messenger had nowhere to take the good news. Only a vase of flowers sits in the place where my boss once sat.
This evening, I've been catching up on chores - balancing the checkbook, washing the dishes, doing laundry, paying bills, and planning out the work of tomorrow: groceries, post office visit, etc. Thankfully, the weather has been warm the past two days and a lot of ice melted. All Wednesday night-long the ice in the gutter was dripping onto the chassis of the air conditioner with a drip drop drop that helped to keep me awake until 1 or 2 am and then woke me up again at 6 am. Last night, there was no dripping from the gutter - I think it may finally be draining out the downspout which had previously been a solid frozen mass of ice, inside and out. So, I don't think I will have to fight with ice this weekend. Hooray! I may return to Union Station in search for the elusive Shamrock Shake tomorrow, depending on how ambitious I am feeling. We'll see where my feet decide to go. I may simply end up in the Jefferson Building soaking in the art and quiet.