Oh Karen, I'm so sorry! Academia is really unfair sometimes and the rules just don't make sense. In the past, it's driven me mad that seniority doesn't seem to count for anything, and a few very good professors I knew had to move on. Don't worry about your kids, there are always student loans. They suck, but that's what they're there for. There are alot of students out there who move away from home, and have to support themselves 100% on their own for 10 years (hmmm... like me?), and will end up with jobs that will enable them to pay off debts. I just hope you guys can find a way to stay in your home, and not have to move cities....
Thinking of you and sending lots of hugs....
