This morning I got a text from my husband informing me he had just been laid off from his job.
After almost a year and a half of marriage we had really started to settle into a comfortable situation. Neither of us makes or made a ton of money but for being 22 and 24 we both have decent jobs. We don't ooze extra money every month but hey we can afford things. But now after two years my husband just gets laid off with no warning. Just 10 o'clock- you're laid off - and then 10:30 you are on your way home never to return again.
I don't think I would be so mad if it weren't for the fact of who DIDN'T get laid off. My husband works in IT, has a four year degree and has worked hard for the past two years for his company. Yet HE is the one to be laid off, not the guy who was just hired six months ago with no degree. It just screams unfair to me and I wish I could scream that at whoever made this decision and make it somehow matter.
Now we are faced with something we've never had to face before. The fact that it could be two weeks or two years until he finds a decent job again. The fact that our health benefits are done at the end of July. But hey! It wasn't performance based! Just cutting back! Hey! That's great! Maybe I'll just start cutting back on my mortgage payment! That makes me feel so much better!
I'm being pissy but I don't really care. It's just something that you don't ever think will ever really happen to you. Yeah you hear about it in the news and your friends friend just got laid off and your uncle and third cousin but it's never something you think that you will actually have to face yourself.
Walking into my home with a cardboard box of my husbands work belongings sitting on the floor was not in the plan. Having to support my family on my income alone was not in the plan. I guess we're lucky. We don't have a baby on the way. We're healthy. We have some money in savings. I have a full time job, sell real estate on the side, and am able to bring in a little spare change from this blog. But as I sit here typing this is the dark on my iPhone at midnight I feel a lot of emotions but none of them are lucky.
I know that things happen for a reason and God has a plan for us, but I'm filled with doubt. Did I bring this on by being prideful? I'm proud of how far we have come for our age. I'm proud to have a college education, a husband, a house, and a full time job at 22. Perhaps I've been too proud. It's truly a humbling experience to go from feeling confident and secure one day and broken the next. I thank God everyday for everything he has blessed us with and will continue to do so. I will put faith in him, but I know that I will still have worry and doubt as to what might happen next.
Anyway. I'm doing better now then this morning when I started sobbing in the back room of my office blubbering on to my coworker about mortgage payments and health insurance. So I guess it's time to stop ranting and feeling sorry for myself since its nothing I can control anyway. Onward and upward.
Not to be all preachy - but God is most glorified in our weaknesses. I was just talking about this with my mentor lady this morning. When it's hardest for us, when we can't take one step without God, we're in the right place. Sometimes we get comfortable. Sometimes it's nothing you did. Job did nothing. You're in your journey. God's working you just can't see the end of the story yet. But it will be beautiful, because God has your best interest for His glory in mind! Hang in there, girl!
ReplyDeleteThey probably kept the other guy bc with no degree, they can pay him much less. Praying things look up for you again soon.
ReplyDeleteYou have a right to be pissy. Take the time to be scared/hurt/angry . Scream, cry, get it out of your system.Weathering hard times together will help make you, & your marriage stronger. We've been through this-4yrs ago , at the height of the recession. My husband lost his job of a decade & I had already stopped working due to health reasons.( I was a waitress with flat feet & a herniated disc) Hubby was forced to take early SS, which means he receives a lot less than if he'd waited till 66 ( he was 62) But, we are coming out the other side & I'm considering opening an Etsy shop for my jewelry. In other words, it WILL get better. Hang tough & good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteRebecca, I can somewhat sympathize as someting similar happened to me a little over a year ago. What I did was allow one day of chaos and emotions then I started the process of getting back on track by printing off a calendar and making a list of goals. Fisrt and foremost he needs to file for unemployment,then I would suggest calling around about getting a health insurance plan. You can get your own plan (not on group coverage like at a job) but a personal plan that you two can be on until he gets a new job with group health care. I did it and highly recommend it to others as going without insurance is way too risky! Then I would get on a day to day agenda for sending out his resume, networking with recruiters/head hunters, and searching career builder. I'm an Accountant and Accountants and IT professionals often have the same professional networks, and based on what I have seen in the job market, if you have a degree it is not as difficult than without it. I found a good job in 6 weeks and I only have a Bachelors degree, so if he has the same he sould be able to find something worthwhile in no time at all. You have each other and you will make it thru this! It wont be fun but you will rise above it, I promise! Hugs! :)
ReplyDeleteOh sweetie, I am so sorry to hear of this. I can totally empathize, sympathize, and relate. It truly does SUCK that the qualified employee gets the sack, but as another reader said, it's b/c they don't have to pay the un-degreed guy anywhere near as much. My hubby got laid off over a year ago (has been blessed to have work since) but our lives really took a turn for the worse because of it. We've gone without health benefits for well over a year now, and have had to recently make a very hard decision regarding our finances. Rest assured though, that God will provide, as he always does. You've done nothing to bring this on, and through your faith, all will be well. Thankfully, you both have youth on your side...it's much easier to bounce back from a layoff at 22 and 24, as opposed to 52 and 54. And being an IT professional, there will be so many opportunities for him. It can always be worse, just remember that. But for the meantime, go ahead and bitch away!! Wallow in your sorrow for the moment. This too shall pass. Keep your trust in the Lord, and you will be able to accomplish anything! My best advice, take your Unemployment, live it up relaxing for a few months (but be diligent in seeking new work) and take your time in selecting the next best job. Prayers that the ultimate dream job will come his way!!!
ReplyDeleteKate @ Uniquely Undone
oh Becca I am SO SORRY to hear this :( Big prayers are being sent your way - you know that we struggled with finding a job for Taylor for a while, so I'm all too familiar with the frustrations that this time brings :( You are blessed with many talents and a supportive family - keep looking up and don't be too prideful to ask for help if you need it (a hard lesson we had to learn!!)
ReplyDeleteKeep your head up, you'd be surprised how quickly things can turn around.
ReplyDeleteOur family was in a similar situation a year and a half ago. I lost my job a few weeks after giving birth. With over 5k of hospital bills, it was horrible timing. Then 3 months later, my fiance lost his job too. Two kids, and both parents unemployed. Not even two years later we're both employed again, in steady companies.
Like Christina said... don't be afraid to ask for help, it's ok to break down sometimes and let go of that "everythings alright" front. Sending hugs!
I'll keep you guys in my prayers. I was laid off unexpectedly from a job five years ago and it was really tough, but it will get better.
ReplyDeleteIt's scary and I know how angry you are, I was there a year ago, only I was the one who was losing my oh so secure job. I channeled all that anger into energy and got through it. These days I can look back and say that was the best thing that ever could've happened to me. I'm in a much better job, surrounded by co-workers I learn from and respect, and am excited for the future. It's hard to see it now, and you and your husband need to go through the whole cycle of emotions to get there, but you will be in a better place someday (soon). Sending positive thoughts your way~
ReplyDeleteHang tough! My hubby left his job of 8 years, that started as an 8 to 5 job and became 1 to 2 hr commutes one way and swing shifts. He was scared to leave because we have become accustomed to the higher pay, and the difficult job market. BUT, Found something closer to home, for less money and no health insurance till September:) We got a high deductible temporary plan until then, and we are adjusting! LOVES his new job too! Say a prayer and have hope:)
ReplyDeleteIt's ok to rail at the world for a bit! Let it out and then you can start figuring it out. It will take time. Been there, still doing that!!! Postive vibes being sent your way.
ReplyDeleteSeriously cry if you need, but you're right. God does have a plan for you. Much bigger and better than the one you made for yourself. XOXO
ReplyDeleteI'm so so sorry to hear about your husband's job loss. That has to be devastating. You're right. You never think it'll happen to you.
ReplyDeleteI hope that this means that something bigger and better is waiting for him around the corner. Don't give up hope.
Sending good thoughts your way.
bisous
Suzanne