First, my father-in-law passed away in February. Then my son, Sean, who got laid off from his high-tech PR job, decided to move to Portland. Then my recruiting business, which had been very successful since 1995, suddenly had no business because firms were laying people off and not hiring. I was on the wrong side of the coin.

Next, my wife decided to divorce me after 30 years of marriage. That took an enormous toll on my emotions and finances. Then, the twin towers in New York came down on 9/11. Man, what a year!

I moved into a mobile home park in the town of Campbell, since that was the most affordable housing I could find. It was also the same park where my in-laws lived for many years after moving to California from Chicago. I performed a lot of menial jobs just to pay the bills. I also did yard work in my park for added income. I trimmed bushes, cleaned up leaves, and helped plant flowers for my neighbors and friends. It kept me going.

My doggie buddies, Wulffie and Dingo, were a big inspiration to keep moving forward. They made me laugh, kept me company, and greeted me every day after work with love and affection.

I had been in regular contact with my son, and he suggested I move to the Pacific Northwest. He was doing well in Portland, with a house and a good job. He thought a change in venue would be good for me. So, in August of 2005, Sean came down to help me pack, and we hit the road on Interstate 5 on our way to Portland. While halfway to Portland, I got a call from Clark College. They wanted to interview me for a position in their Human Resources Department. (I had applied to a number of jobs in the Portland/Vancouver area before I left California). I said I’d be there. After the interview, I was selected for the job and have been at Clark ever since.

As I neared the end of my six-month probation period, I started looking for a place of my own. I’d been living in Sean’s second bedroom, and it was a little tough, though I was grateful. I found a nice place in a senior’s park in Salmon Creek. I even met a neighbor who had graduated from the same university in San Jose.

Prior to this, I had been told by my colleagues at the college that I could save 9 percent in personal income tax by working and living in Vancouver. That was good enough for me.

So, after two years in Salmon Creek, I decided to buy a brand new home, since the real estate market was in the dumps. I found a great new subdivision just north of Van Mall. I got a price I could live with and sealed the deal. I’ve been in my new place since March, but have tons of boxes to unpack. Who would have guessed that I was such a pack rat?

Wulffie and I are slowly getting settled in our new home (Dingo passed away in California). I have planted my roots here and California is slowly fading from my memory. I still stay in contact with my friends via e-mail, but I need to cultivate new friends here and enjoy the benefits of living here. A new job, a new church, new friends, and new sights to see are what I look forward to. It’s all a blessing.