Thursday, August 20, 2009

When Life Hands You Lemons

When I quit teaching, I resigned. I knew when I left that it was my decision.

The other day, I found out that my father, a factory worker for over thirty years, got his notice of termination. Sigh...

I'm going to admit to something. When I was a kid, my family lived through the '80's recession. There were times when we lived on fried bologna sandwiches. Am I complaining? Not a bit. I learned the value of hard work, the agony of losing what you love, and the thrill of doing something on your own. There were a few Christmas mornings that weren't overflowing, but it makes the holidays more special now.

Still, it's a sad day when the laborers who keep this country running aren't able to .

Maybe I'll turn this into a story. Might make a poignant romance, how a couple can survive even when the chips are down.

Then again, I might just file this away for later.

It's raining pretty hard outside and I'm at a bit of a stuck point, so I might just turn up the tunes and think through my next story idea.

Toodles.

6 comments:

Marianne Arkins said...

I'm going to admit to something. When I was a kid, my family lived through the '80's recession.

You say this like it's something to be ashamed of. Heck, my first presidential election was Regan v. Mondale.

And, yeah, I can remember collecting aluminum cans and living on carrots and rice and beans because they were cheap. But we made it. And I have faith I could make it through just about anything because of it.

Wendi Zwaduk and Megan Slayer said...

Not that it's embarrassing or shameful, but I admit my age. The first election I remember was Ronald Regan and I was in kindergarten. I voted for Regan becase he and my Uncle shared the same first name.

I guess I was depressed because its a sad day when the American factory worker is out of a job... maybe that's why Shutting Detroit Down by John Rich always gets me in the blood pumper.

Ahhh, such uis life.

Unknown said...

Hugs to you and your father.

My dad had a knack for seeing lay offs coming and moving to something better so we were okay when I was a kid.

Now, however, hubby has been terminated twice due to poor health. He was out of work a couple times for a year or more after each of those times.

We're both working now, but his current job is less pay than he used to get and on top of that, since this recession, they've cut everyone back to 4 days a week. Better than being let go but it still hurts.

Unknown said...

Wendi, my dear, you are YOUNG. I'm almost 50 and am finally realizing how young I still am and I know I'm a lot older than you.

I wish I hadn't wasted so much time believing myself to be old. Just enjoy each day. In ten years and especially twenty you'll look back and realize just how young your age now is.

Wendi Zwaduk and Megan Slayer said...

I know how young i am, but thanks for reminding me. I just was trying to say that in the grand scheme of things, I lived through some stuff that makes me feel way older, but then I talk to some of my friends and relatives and realize I have so much mre in store for me.

It just sucks when you have to deal with things that grown ups can't deal with. But we've bounced back, so I have faith.

Hugs to you.

Marianne Arkins said...

Okay... wait... your first election was Reagan and you were in KINDERGARTEN???

I VOTED in the Reagan/Mondale election. Yanno, for real.

So don't give me any guff about your so-called "age", girl.

:::rolls eyes:::