My life has taken a little turn over the past week or so.  Thankfully, I had the get-away pics/stories to entertain you until I got it all sorted out.  The day that we returned from our trip, there were some events that took place in the desert that shook me up.  I told The Mister that I would no longer feel comfortable remaining behind with the children in May while he goes to the UK for his studies.  We talked about it, and both decided that if we were going to uproot the kids, making them start over in a new class, we might as well do it now when there are a few months left in the school year rather than just a few weeks.  We got home from paradise, I did laundry, unpacked/repacked, and we were on a flight just over 24 hours later. 

The what-if’s really drove our decision to leave.  It was more of a preemptive strike.  What if things deteriorate like other countries?  What if the children’s school shuts down?  What if we can’t get flights out in a month from now?  What if… What if…  What if…  With the what-if’s mounting, we decided to remove me and the children from the equation.  It is much easier for a single man to find a way out of a chaotic situation than a family of four.  I did not, however, leave the desert in a state of fear.  The Mister remained behind for work, and I’m in no way worried about his safety.  The fact of the matter is, even after I’ve left, nothing has changed much.  Our what-if’s have not been realized.  I told my girlfriends as I made the rounds to say goodbye the evening before we flew out, “I hope nothing happens and when I get back you can all laugh at me because I left for no reason.”  That would be the best case scenario, in my opinion.  

As sucky (that is a real word, I swear) as this situation is,  I do see a hand of grace in the little details that just seem to be matching up.  The flight out of our city was full, but the agent at the office personally phoned people that had booked tickets but not completed the sale to see if they were willing to give up their booking.  He found 3 seats for us.  (Amazing what can happen when you go into the office in person).  Charlie, Lola and I are going to be living with my sister and her husband for the duration of our refugee days.  The school that is nearest to them has one spot left in kindergarten and one spot left in Grade 4.  Friends have generously helped us out with warm hand-me-down clothes.  Our car never sold, so it was ready and waiting for my use when I arrived.  

We are safe.  We are cared for.  We are sad to be away from The Mister but not fearful for him.