My daughter's decision

[Bajanne]

As some of you know, my daughter is away at the university in my home country, Barbados.  I had expected that I would have been her main source of support while she was there, but my appointment was not renewed after Sept 1.  Well, she is staying at a cousin, who lives fairly near the university.  Also, my sister gives her pocket money every two weeks.  Now, she has decided to come back to the British Virgin Islands, get a job and look after her son and myself.  I know she can get a job here.  She has an Associate Degree with Honors, but I wanted her to complete her Bachelors and her Masters at least!  But she says that she is stressed out, thinking of me and of Chris, and she can always continue her education later.
I am getting something arranged myself.  I went to the Minister of Labour, and he was outraged at how I was treated.  I told him I didn't want to get back my job, but I wanted him to get me a work permit exemption and to help me get a trade licence where I can do my own thing - tutoring kids, teaching French and arranging tours (french speaking students and adults)
What do you guys think of my daughter's decision?
I forgot to mention that the university at  home is practically free (410 per semester), but they don't accept Associate Degrees for credit, just for entry, so she would have to do a full 3 years to complete her degree.  If she goes to an American university/college, her grades would be transferable for the most part and she would only do about 2 years.

[Sluff]

I hate to see your daughter do this but I think she is an awesome lady just like her Mom. She is willing to put her life on hold to take the responsibility for her son and to help you out. Things work the way they do for a reason. True family is what it's about. Hugs to both of you. 

[kitkatz]

I think your daughter is awesome.  I also think she can do whatever she feels she needs to do. Right now she thinks you are the most important thing in her life.  Enjoy it!

[thegrammalady]

it's called love and is the reason we're here in the first place. to take care of others and put their needs before our own. be proud that you raised such a wonderful and caring daughter. you are a very lucky woman.

[paris]

How proud you are of your daughter!  She learned her caring ways from her Mother.  Sounds like she needs to be home with you and her son.  She loves you and wants to help. It may be too stressful to not be with you while you are dealing with so much.  She has to make her own decisions and you have raised her well.  Maybe it is time to lean on her a little. You are very blessed.

[okarol]

I agree, she sounds like a wonderfully responsible and loving person. She can resume school when she feels like she can focus on it and not worry about her family. I know you have dreams for her, but she needs to do what's right for her. I hope everything works out for all of you!

[Bajanne]

I have to let you guys know how touched I was reading your responses.  thanks for being such a caring family.  I have started to come to terms with what she has decided.   I have to, anyway.

[Black]

One of the hardest things to learn (especially by strong, independent and determined women) is to accept help and gifts from other people.  Your wonderful daughter is like her amazing mother, and her spectacular aunt, and is giving you the gift of her time and her love.  Accept graciously and tell her you love her too!

I hope the Minister of Labour is able to help you.  Sounds like a good plan for you.

[goofynina]

Good for Sam, i am glad she has made that decision, i think with the degree and the knowledge she has, she will find a great job AND be there for her son and for the #1 Woman in her life, YOU,    The Lord works in mysterious ways my friend, you will see, with this decision, things will start falling into place for you all.  Thank you for sharing what is going on in your life, you mean the world to us Aurora, we love you 

[Rerun]

Yes, she needs to see her son grow up.  People put too much emphasis on a piece of paper.  You can always learn on your own and if you later take a class you are just that much ahead of the class.  She made the right choice.  You are one luck Mom.

[Bajanne]

Well, both Sam and I got good news this week.  My work permit came through and I got it this week.  then my work permit exemption has come through as well!  If I had waited I would not have had to pay for my work permit.  So i will soon start work (for peanuts).  Sam was offered the job in a law firm.  However, the people dealing with her work permit exemption did something very silly.  They wanted her to bring in her former work permit card.  Did they call and ask her to bring it?  No they mailed all the documents she has already completed with all the things she had to give in.  Her new employer wants her to start right away,but she would not be legal, and the Immigration Officer said he could not give her the authorization to work without the exemption.
Now, I need to explain that this is not just snail mail over here.  To quote Anne Robinson (Weakest link), it is slower than a snail with a limp!
So she has to be running up and down trying to get that, then to take it back to the Ministry, then to take it to Immigration to get permission to work.  We have to be grateful that our country is not on the list of countries that need a visa for this territory, or it would be more time wasted.
I also have heard about a job with the Police Headquarters.  They need a Training Coordinator.  I would love to get that since I would be back in the Gov. service, with  medical insurance, etc.  i also just send an email with a cv to a company which needs a parttime office assistant who speaks and writes French.  Just  my kind of thing.
those of you who pray, please remember Sam and me and all these things to be accomplished in the next few days.  also we will need to find an apartment (not easy in this place)

[goofynina]

It sounds like things are headed in the right direction for you all Bajanne    Start off with peanuts and end up with Cashews or Macadamia Nuts even (we all know how expensive those are)   Give it time my friend and it will pay off in the long run, you just keep that beautiful smile of yours and Keep on Keepin' On my friend 

[Ohio Buckeye]

I will be praying for you and the family as you make all these changes, etc.
Glad you got your work permit.  I think it is a wonderful thing your daughter is
doing and you are a lfortunate mother.  A break from school may be a good thing
and later when things have settled she may decide to go back. 
God has a plan and it will all work out.

[MyssAnne]

Bajanne, I am crossing my fingers and toes that all goes well and Sam's job is secure!

Hopefully you get the job of your dreams!  You are very fortunate to have such a daughter
as Sam. I'm not surprised, knowing how you are that she has turned out so well.

I'm glad she's back. You need someone to lean on, she needs to know that you AND
Christopher are safe and happy. And Christopher needs his mom.  A winner all around!

[Bajanne]

   We got an apartment and moved out this weekend.  It is a bit small (but the truth is that is looks a bit larger every day), but the price is absolutely right and it is fully furnished!!!  Sam says that we are going to stay here until we build our own home here!!  What I love is that it is in a country area with a fabulous view and it is very windy.  Sam says she has to buy some sweaters, but it is my kind of temperature.  Imagine I am sleeping without a fan!  We have decided to let Chris stay by his other family a little longer until we are absolutely settled in.  He spent the day with us yesterday and really loves the place.  He wanted to stay with us. [a bonus - we are now in walking distance of Chris's other home so going and coming is no problem at all!]
I am hoping to hear something from various places this week concerning a full time job.  Right now I am making some money tutoring, thank goodness.
But Sam is now the real breadwinner and feeling very proud.  We were both pleasantly surprised when the firm paid her at the end of the month when she had only been there a week and it was enough to pay our first month's rent and to buy bed linen and curtains and those kinds of things which make the place your own! 
The friend I was staying at gave us (gave, not lent) the money for the deposit! (Maybe she was so glad to get her apartment completely back!)
So many things have just worked out for us in the last few weeks!  It is amazing!  We give thanks to the Lord!   The apartment belongs to the mother of one of Sam's girlfriends.  She was going to raise the rent when the last tenant left, but because it is Sam she kept it at the same price. 
Another friend has an unfinished apartment  and she said that she will not be finishing it for a while and we are free to store our stuff which can't fit into the new apartment.  Praise the Lord! 
It would take me too long to tell you guys the number of things that just fell into place and worked out for us recently.  Even my tyre - a real problem these days.  we went to a garage to have them change the tyre because we were seeing the steel threads and we were just going to have them put on the spare.  While there, the guy said they had a used tyre in excellent condition which we could get (free!)  We usually pay $40 for used tyres.
Thanks to all you who have remembered my situation in your caring thoughts and prayers.  Things are certainly looking up.

[MyssAnne]

YAY!!!!!! Bajanne, this is wonderful news!! God has blessed you abundantly!!!

[okarol]

I love hearing this news Aurora - you deserve to have a break with all you're been through. And isn't Sam incredible? Just like her mom! Best of luck in your new home!

[boxman55]

very happy for you...Boxman

[paris]

You certainly deserve all the blessings that have come your way, finally!  I can hear (read) the joy in your post. Sam is a great daughter and loves you very much. May your new home be filled with love and joy everyday.   

[KT0930]

So glad to hear things are working out for all three of you! 

[tamara]

Very Good News Bajanne ! 

[Joe Paul]

Glad things are working out for you & Sam 

[Sluff]

Good for you two! Things have there way of working out, don't they? Hopefully it won't take long to get back to where you were before all this started.

[Psim]

I'm so glad things are working out well now, after all you've been through. You daughter is amazing -- someone must have raised her right Hope you get the job you want very soon.

[Ohio Buckeye]

Glad you are getting settled in and things are falling into place for you.
Praying that the perfect job comes through for you.
It is amazing how the Lord works things out and supplies our needs.