Merrifield Times

Jolyn has had a stressful year (as you might imagine). Her selfless service to others has been a blessing to many at church, work and at home. On a global scale, difficult situations abound with wars, natural disasters, etc. Closer to home, we’ve been affected by loss, conflict and relational disasters. The opportunity to help out takes its toll so we are grateful for family time: celebrating Herc’s 75th on the coast, a week in Whislter (just us) and simply relaxing at home with a fire in the stove.

Mike was fired from Symantec (aka Somantic) in the middle of April – absolutely blind-sided - in what appears to be a very clear-cut case of him (and at least one other person) taking the fall for some upper-level management incompetence. They were accused, tried, convicted, sentenced, & punished without opportunity for any rebuttal whatsoever. The organization he was in has a reputation for being an absolutely poisonous place to work but Mike really poured heart & soul into it to try & succeed. He was just met with resistance at every turn & was ultimately libeled. As the shock wore off, we discovered a blessing in disguise (in several ways). We have a family life once again! No more late nights at the office for Mike or calling contractors in India at midnight. We realized the incredible stress a job with big corporate America placed on us. We realized that no amount of pay or benefits could make up for the cost to our family. We found sufficiency in our loving Heave...