Give Thanks

I don’t normally post these kinds of blogs because I was always raised to believe that your faith and your religion were YOUR business and not anyone else’s.  If someone wanted to know, they’d ask.  It was as simple as that. 

However, these last ten plus months have been horrible for me.  And yet?  We’ve found a way to pull through, to stay together, to be happy even in our misery, if that makes any sense. 

And therefore, I want to make my thanks public.

On December 31, 2009, my husband lost his job, effectively cutting our income in half.  Since he was essentially self-employed, he didn’t qualify for unemployment so we remained solely supported by my paycheck.  And while I make good money, I in no way, shape or form make enough to support four of us.  However, both my mother and my in-laws stepped in and have helped us tremendously. 

Thank you #1: To my mom and my in-laws for always having that spare $5 to get us through until that next paycheck.

My biggest concern, aside from the obvious things ( like the mortgage and groceries) were my children.  While we’d never lived in the lap of luxury, they were used to certain things.  Starbucks on Saturday mornings.  Dairy Queen on Wednesday nights.  That sort of thing.  I was so worried about the way they’d take not being able to do those things any longer that it made me physically ill.  I mean, what kind of mom am I if I can’t even buy my kids a $0.99 ice cream cone once a week?  Turns out that my kids took it in stride. Once in awhile, they’d complain or get disappointed but, for the most part, they bounced right back and acted as if they’d never had those privileges in the first place.  Go kids!

Thank you #2: To my kids for being so darn resilient and understanding, even at 8 and 10 years old.  I love you.

Since that initial layoff, things have gotten worse and finally, I think we may be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  It took ten months for my husband to get a job of any kind.  And once he got it, he’s gotten approximately five hours a week.  Five.  But you know what?  I’m damn thankful for those 5 hours.  The $37 paycheck he gets puts gas in my car and that extra tiny bit of cushion in the checking account.

Thank you #3: To that place that decided to hire my husband.  Every little bit helps. 

It’s going to be a long time before things are ‘good’ again, but you know what?  We’re going to make it.  Why?  Because we are strong people and because we love each other.  And I think this setback has been good for us.  We’ve learned how to tighten our already tight belts and learn to make do.  Not to mention, I think I’ve finally learned to get a handle on my anxiety.  Despite my complete breakdown this morning, I’ve coped better than I ever have in my life.  And for that, I’m more thankful than I can ever express.

Thank you #4: To my loving husband for holding me together and for not allowing this crap moment in our lives tear us apart.  I owe it all to you.

Thank you #5: To all the bad things in the world.  Without you, we’d never know how good we had it nor would we ever have a clue how lucky we are to have gotten it back again. 

And that’s all for now.  I think that’s enough emotional BS for one day, don’t you? 

Oh, and a mini thank-you for chocolate donuts. 

~Mika