A Saving Grace

Aerial Dance is my “Saving Grace”
As I am sitting here on my birthday, all I can feel is anger, despair, and sadness.  Today should be a happy time with thoughts of celebrating with friends tonight and family tomorrow.  The reality has finally hit me, that I am now unemployed.  This is the first time that I have been unemployed and let go from a job.  Despite getting all of my ducks in a row to deal with this, I don’t even know what I am going to do or how I am even going to rise above this.
As I was working from home this past Thursday, I received a telephone call from both my supervisor and manager nonetheless stating that they were parting ways with me not for either my work ethic or product but because my values don’t match that of the company.  I still don’t understand what they meant by my values.  The way that I was let go is comparable to the episode of Sex and the City where Berger breaks up with Carrie on a post-it note.  
When I was told that I was being let go, my first thoughts were that I have a house and that I would no longer be able to go to the studio.  The thought of not being able to go to the studio devastated me as I consider it to be my second home.  It is such a huge aspect of my life as I strive to go 5 days a week.  I love the instructors and my fellow aerial/pole sisters. I love the culture there as it is a place where I feel safe and one of the few places that I can actually be myself.  In Paula’s words, this place is truly a sanctuary for women.  It is a sanctuary for me.
After less than two hours of being unemployed, I raced to the Green Bay studio to talk to Instructor Olivia on what my options were.  She recommended that I apply for the Sisterhood Scholarship.  Luckily, I was approved!
Surprisingly, I am fine with my employer having let me go.  Well, I was until reality hit me this afternoon.  This may be a surprise to some, but I am not good in dealing with my emotions or feelings.  I tend to be on the go and keep busy so I don’t have deal with them.  In having been sober since September 2018, I was contemplating on getting annihilated.  After all, it is my birthday, so I would be getting free drinks.
After some thought, I decided it was best not to direct my anger, despair, and sadness to alcohol but rather to focusing on the studio.  During this difficult time in my life, I feel that Aerial Dance is truly my “Saving Grace.”  I am thankful for the student that came up with the idea of the Sisterhood Scholarship, for Paula for implementing this, and for the donors.  Once I am able to get back on my feet, I definitely plan on contributing so that my fellow aerial/pole sisters can continue doing something they love during difficult times.