I’ve had to walk away from my dream job more than once. Apparently, my career and I have an on-again, off-again relationship.

The first time was when my husband and I decided to live at the beach. The commute to my sales position at Somerset Lake was simply too long, and we thought starting a family might be a little easier if I wasn’t spending half my life in traffic. I loved that job. I love sales. Walking away wasn’t easy.

The next time came when my son was born.

I owned a baby furniture and accessory store, but it quickly became clear that his special needs would require my full attention for a very long time. Motherhood became my full-time career.

Ironically, it also became my favorite job—the only one where I was underqualified, overworked, unpaid… and still wouldn’t quit. The baby store moved to second place.

Eventually, when my son was older, I returned to work, this time pursuing acting and comedy. Because apparently, I enjoy unstable income and emotional rejection.

If you want a career that builds character, try show business. You either get tough… or you cry in your car.

(I did both.)

Then life said, “Plot twist!”

We moved to Maine so my son could attend a specialized educational program. I even found a comedy club there. Proof that no matter where you go, people are willing to laugh at you. Eventually, we packed up once again and returned home so he could continue the next phase of his education.

Later, while living in Sarasota—yes, I’ve moved a lot; at this point, even my furniture had separation anxiety—Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the Gulf Coast in 2024. I lost my job and made yet another difficult decision: move back to Delaware.

Honestly, I think my life has had more plot twists than a soap opera.

So what has kept me going through every unexpected turn?

Friends.

Old friends in Delaware. New friends I’ve met along the way. They gave me love, encouragement, strength… and occasionally a cocktail whenever one chapter ended and another began.

And if my life has taught me anything, it’s this:

You may have to walk away from your dream more than once.

But if you keep moving forward…

your paths just might cross again.