Saturday, January 24, 2009

In limbo

I really don't know where to start or how to explain this all that well. I'm still frustrated, upset, agitated, worried, bitter, sad etc.

I have been working for the largest school district in the state of Arkansas going on 18 years. I started back in 1991 as an aide on a school bus. I became a driver 6 months later. I got my own route 1 1/2 years after I was hired. I drove route 524 for 16 years. Last August at our start-up meeting I was told my route had been terminated due to cut backs. I took it really hard and was devastated!! I cried like a baby in front of all my co-workers. I wasn't alone....there were about 20 routes cut all together. But, it all worked out OK...since I had the most seniority out of the routes that were cut; I got to bid on the open routes first. I needed one that went to the middle school I work at and I wanted it to be a special needs bus since that is what I have been driving for 18 years! Just so happened that one of the women that retired came off of a special needs bus...route 500 and it goes to the school I work at as a Social Skills Coach!! I bid on it and I was told it was mine...permanently!!!

There was also news about the people who retired...they would be starting at the bottom if they choose to come back to work. Now, in the past this school district aloud people to retire, get their severance pay, and return to work with their seniority, benefits and route! So those people were pissed as well when they heard this news. They joined together and hired a lawyer and filed a grievance. They won that grievance and the superintendent signed off on it Thursday night.

So I went to see my supervisor on Friday morning. She told me it was out of her hands....I will be losing my route!! The woman who retired off of route 500 wants her route back! (I can't blame her....they did mess with her job as well and I would do the same thing she did!) The route that they said was MINE for GOOD!!! I started crying and told her that it was totally unfair! How could they screw me like this!? They don't even have a route that is open that goes to my middle school. So what does all this mean.....If I don't get a route that goes to the school I work at I will have to quit my job at the school. A job that I LOVE....my kids mean the world to me and I work with some amazing people!!! But, I have better benefits on the bus and it pays more than the school! So I would have to stay with the bus. It just upsets me so much that I would have to give up a job I have worked so hard at for so many years.

So I wait....they don't know when all this is going to take effect. Could be Monday.......could be in a week....a month...nobody knows!! They couldn't give me an answer. I'm in limbo. I have cried so much this weekend over it. John said we just need to pray about it! God has worked things out for us before...he will do it again!!

Hope this makes sense....I'm not good at explaining things when I'm upset (& drinking)

My good friend Ann told me yesterday to just keep saying this.....
I have the will.....He has the way!

I have the will
!!!

20 comments:

Becky said...

You are right Betty. It is in God's hands. The hard part is waiting, I know! But what ever happens, you will be okay, and work through it just fine. You have your husband by your side, and you need to just release all your worries to God, becuase you can't control it! It is so hard being the co-pilot! But God is the pilot:)

I am thinking of you! Hang in there.

Melody said...

I agree with Becky. All will be well and will work out for the best. God will provide a way.

Betty said...

Awww, so sorry you´re going through this! It totally sucks!! I will keep you in my prayers and hope that it will somehow turn out ok!

Kaye said...

Oh, Betty! I'm so sorry! I had no idea this was happening to you! You will be in my prayers! I'm like you and just hate not knowing!!! I will pray for the best possible resolution and that we get to KEEP you at our school!!!!!

Stephanie said...

Im sorry this is so terrible!! I will be praying for you! Good luck with everything!

Sticky said...

How awful! I am so very sorry, I will be thinking of you and I hope it works out for you, I'm sure everything will be alright...

MarciaBrady said...

Betty, it is in God's hands. And, just remember, when one door closes, He opens another!

I know I have had things happen in my life lately and have gotten upset about them, but after the initial upset, I have come to find that it is usually for the better, no matter how much I don't want it to change or have fought to keep it the same.

I know how it is to be in limbo, but hang in there..I'll keep it in my prayers for you!

WheresMyAngels said...

Okay, I do not understand why they would give her back the route after she quit it. Really, you can't make me understand that. Can you talk to her?

Prayers for you. You are such a wonderful kindhearted person. Prayers that this does work out for the best for you.

Tara Bennett said...

Bless you for enjoying driving special needs children. I hope you get the desires of your heart! Truly.

Lynette said...

I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this awful mess right now!! Be strong and know I'm thinking about you!!

Beths Blog said...

betty,
my heart hurts for you. I know how much you have always loved your job.Only at PCSSD could you make more money driving a bus than doing what you do with special needs kids. Amazing!
You have to trust...I KNOW how hard that is...and you have to grieve the loss and that is ok, allow yourself to do so.
But, I can't help to think that if this happens then God has something else planned for you and of course you don't know what that is and waiting is so hard but friend keep trusting Him. He hasn't failed you yet, right!
Maybe their eyes will open and they will figure out a way to let you do both because you are so valuable at both jobs!!!! I'll pray!

Yankee Girl said...

I'm not a religous woman and have given up praying years ago, but I will send some positive thoughts and good juju your way. I have learned that things work out for good people, especially when you have good people on your side, and it looks like you are surrounded by people who want the best for you.

fawn & fern said...

It'll all work out the way it's supposed to, Momma Bird!

Love you beaucoup!

Shell in your Pocket said...

I am sorry to hear about this! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers! This really REALLY stinks!
-sandy toe

April said...

Oh, Betty...so very sorry to hear what you're going through! I can only imagine how tough it must be! I have a saying..."Let go, and let God." Just remember that He is in control and things will work out according to His plan for your life...trust and believe!

Praying for good news soon! ♥

Heather said...

Betty, you know you are in our prayers.

Being in limbo just plain sucks. Especially after an unfair situation.

Please keep us posted. Cry, get it out of your system, vent to us, and then get ready for whatever God has planned for you. Because you know He has a plan. He always does.

Susie said...

That is awful!! I sure hope it all works out in the end for you.

Ashley said...

It sounds like this has just been a mess for everyone involved. I hope that it works out and you can continue your work at both jobs.

Michelle said...

Amen. I will be praying for you that everything works out. John is right. God may have something else in store for you, you just don't know what it is yet.

Joy said...

Betty, I read this the other day, but was on my way out the door and couldn't comment. I've been thinking about you and praying for this situation that all would work out for the best for you. If God is pulling you in a new direction, that you will have peace with it. Or if you're to remain as you have for all the years. I know you have poureed your heart into these children and your job for many years. I know you will be blessed no matter what.

Joy