It has finally happened to me.
The economy is finally getting its grubby hands on me.
I've been laid off effective Sept. 1. Now, I will get the chilly pleasure of seeing and feeling what many others across the nation are seeing and feeling these days.
One day I was rocking along taking my dear spouse to her cancer chemotherapy treatment and helping her open a soda can.
And the next day my saintly boss tells me that my contract will not be renewed due to budget cuts.
Sorry, they all say. One boss cries after closing the door.
I should be shocked, but I'm not because I know the world has been spinning that way.
I'm not even a fall chicken, and retirement through Social Security is four or five years away. (Will Social Security even be there if I make it that far?)
Unbelievably, I start thinking about how I'm going to keep our new home near White Rock Lake out of the banker's hands and worry about the medical insurance that makes it possible to stay alive with all those meds we're taking.
Gosh, I'm going to have to say goodbye to my allergist, internist, gastroenterologist, urologist, and ophthalmologist. I do hope they understand.
And does Parkland Hospital take credit cards?
When I wake up each day, I think it's all a dream. I must have eaten less than an hour before going to bed.
All I need is a cup of coffee and reality sets in. The good news for me is that I won't be spending $3 on Starbucks coffee anymore.
As you can see, there is silver lining in everything.
All I need to do is look hard enough. Without a job, I should have enough time to do that.
