Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going?

All wonderful questions - really...

Those of you who know the Russell Baxter family also know that we haven't really been afraid of adventure in the past.  We've done enough to fill another blog (which we are still trying to get around to).  That said, this one done beat all... Yessir!

It all started when my bosses left my previous company to start their own venture.  I was really happy with my job and they were happy with me.  After their departure there were others on my team who left of their own accord, while others were fired (oops... I meant laid off).  There were 15 of us when I started with them.  Out of those 15, four were left a few months ago, and I was one of them.

Under the new leadership, responsibilities were taken away from me, lies were told about me to that leadership, which led to misconceptions being built and believed.  Any support I had disappeared and I felt powerless to do anything about it.  And I watched my job shrivel up and die in spite of my desire to make it work. I was told that I needed to shape up, or it would mean losing it (or, in other words, the problem was all my fault).  But under the new leadership schema, I had no idea how to do damage control.  I didn't even have a boss that I could turn to for help. This went on for some time.

Fortunately, I was able to eventually find another job (halfway around the world).  And then, on July 1st I got my wish - they fired me (I mean laid me off).  (I can't help but chuckle... On the day they fired me, I had to be late to work, which meant the entire firing team - my boss, the VP, the EVP and the EAP guy were all sitting twiddling their thumbs wondering when I was going to get there.  Hee hee...)  I got my severance pay which has aided the transition between jobs.  In fact what has happened is that I, in effect, had nearly two months of paid vacation.

And we made the most of it.  I was able to do things with my children - much more than we would have been able to otherwise.  We floated down rivers, learned how to sail, flew in paragliders, went to Lagoon, had pizza parties, drove down the Oregon coast, and saw the Redwoods in California.  Nearly every day was packed.  It was a blessed time, a gift, where I could focus on being a dad and spend time with those whom I dearly love.  That time was sacred to me, and I won't forget it.  It was a healing time.

And then, last Sunday - 3 days ago, I boarded a plane, and flew away from my family for a very long time.

I am in  awe of the forces that conspired to get me here.  But I am also very excited to know that I am in the right place.