Unemployment

It’s happening a lot around the country right now. A bunch of people both I and my wife know have been hit by the news that their position has been downgraded, eliminated, or whatever other word is used. And, unfortunately, this became the case for me late last week.

The company I worked for at least mentioned a couple weeks in advance that layoffs were coming, though they of course wouldn’t list any names until the day of the actual announcement. So everyone had a chance to mentally prepare for the possibility. Still, it’s never an easy thing to deal with. The company has been reduced to a skeleton of itself and people who I considered friends, as well as valuable contributers to our workplace got cut off along with me. Right now, I’m already on the job hunt again, seeing if there are other writer-friendly jobs out there and also trying to boost myself into some freelance work. Even in the midst of this, I think of myself as fortunate that, while I am not gainfully employed for the moment, we don’t have to worry about things like massive debt, health problems, or car repairs. We remain blessed by supportive family and friends, have a roof over our heads, a dog that continues to love us unconditionally, and a cat that loves us whenever he wants to be fed. I’ve even managed to start cooking a little more with some of my free time.

Plus, in between sending out ye ol’ resume, I’ve gotten some quality writing time in on my current story. I don’t want to succumb to the Pollyanna syndrome and pretend everything is all bright and shiny and green on my side of the fence, but it does help to take a moment every now and then and remind myself that, despite the bummer of losing a job, things could be a lot, lot, lot worse, and to be thankful for what we do have. Like a thick stack of books to read outside in the sun in this unnaturally warm January we’re having.

I see that smile.