Wow... just received a confirmation of my thoughts from earlier, in which I talked about the Good Lord doesn't take something from you without having something better to give you.
I sent an email to my former work partner at the drilling island I was working while doing my bear guard job. As much as I enjoyed that particular job, and the opportunity to study/watch polar bears in the wild IN PERSON... my former work partner told me that drilling has ceased on the island, and the 200 bed camp (we kept FULL) has 27 people in it now.
I don't know if they just ceased drilling due to the price of oil, or whether they finished the drilling they had scheduled and scratched the expansion plans they were planning (due to the price of oil). Before the drop in prices, they were planning two phases of expansion for the island. They were going to increase (by 2/3) the number of wells to drill, and were planning to construct a second island. I had hoped to finish my working days doing that job.
So, it would appear to me, a confirmation that, although I didn't understand the why/how (etc.) of my being laid off... and, the financial struggles I faced the last year... the Good Lord brought me a much better means of a living when the dust settled in this chapter of my life. For that, I am very grateful.