Braving the Storm

Today is tinge with some unhappy tones for me. I thought long and hard whether to blog about it or not but then I decided that maybe, just maybe, I would find some sort of release from my fears and worries with some compassion and soothing words I'll get from you, yes you reading this now and others who will decide to read this sad story of mine...

The tough economy has finally sank it's teeth on us-more appropriately on my husband. It all happened today. I was at the office and I just got back from lunch when a call came for me. It was my husband. Over the phone he had this mixed amazement in his voice when he asked me "honey, guess what just happened?" For the dear life of me I thought something has happened to my 4 year old daughter, for him to be calling me with such urgency. I was just home with them for lunch not that long ago. Alarmingly, I asked him "what?" Then with a deafening shock, he told me that he was just laid-off ! That the call that came through while we were at the end of our lunch was his boss, who left a message with that unwelcome news...

We tried to laugh it off, but the painful truth can not be hidden. He, my husband just lost his job.The high income earner in the family who pays most of our bills! As soon as he blurted out the words, my life immediately flashed right in front of me and crumbled...then fear creeped in. "what if 's" started blinking in my brain like big neon signs and taunting. I'm scared inside and fearful of what lies ahead of us. I've seen a lot of people losing their jobs and struggling to find another. Will that be my husband's future? I hope not! This sad news in an instant, drastically changed our views and our approach to our current way of living. The belt will surely be tighter. And the road ahead will be rougher and tougher.

And if it wasn't bad enough, we were watching Eureka on TV and in this particular segment, Carter and Allison was stressing about the numerous lay-offs their organization were implementing. Not sure if it was a sinister way of rubbing it in on us, or an empathetic message from higher powers that we're not alone in this. Needless, we are in for a roller coaster ride- fear factor all thrown in. Please say a word of prayer for us and wish us strength as we brave this storm in our life.

At this point, my etsy store is not even a financial source of income, but if I may so ask you kindly, please help me sell my items by referral or any sort of plugging. Any money that comes our way will be a help right now. If you're thinking of charity, let the charity of love begin with us...I guess I'm desperate. I guess I'm just scared...All I know is that, right now, I'm crying like a child inside...so is my daughter...


Story by Maricris
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34 ZENSIBLE OPINIONS:

  1. You're right. It will be tough, but you and your family are going to pull through and you will be all the more stronger for it!
    Good luck to you and yours, we'll be thinking about you!
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  2. We have been through this, unfortunatly many times. My Hubby lost his job just 2 weeks after I quit mine to take care of our kids he was out of work for 3 months. The lord provides. It is a scary time. I will keep you in my prayers!
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  3. Oh no.... so sorry to hear this. Good luck, I'll be sending new job vibes your way.
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  4. P.s. I hope it ok, I tagged you. check out my blog
    http://jamey-walkingbyfaith.blogspot.com/
    I totally understand if you can't do it right now.
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  5. I'm so sorry. I'll be thinking of you and your family and will go check out your etsy store.
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  6. Very sorry to hear the news. I feel your pain. I was laid off in April, and as a single mother its been a nightmare. I might be jumping in my car and running from the repo people if I don't get income soon.

    I know that probably doesn't help to make you feel any better, but here is something that might (it certainly placed a big smile on my face). When you are ready to take a break from your tears, I want you and your husband to put the babies to bed, find a copy of the movie Fun With Dick and Jane and watch it. It will place a little smile in your heart about your current situation.

    Good luck.
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  7. I am not a religious person, but I do believe in the saying "that which does not kill us, makes us stronger"...this is a test, and you will succeed...I believe that...and so do you!! I will certainly check out your store, I decided this year for Christmas I was supporting people like you, people who put their talents to work...
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  8. sister, hugs para sa iyo at sa inyong lahat. naiintindihan ko ang nararamdaman mo kasi ilang beses na rin kaming nabiktima ng pagbagsak ng ekonomiya. pero naniniwala pa rin ako na lahat ng ito ay may reason, at lahat ng ito ay test para malaman kung gaano kalakas ang faith natin sa Kanya.

    tignan mo na lang kami, surviving pa rin di ba? kayang-kaya basta tatagan lang ang loob. malalampasan niyo ito, kayo pa!

    one day at a time, sis. luvyah! *hugs*
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  9. I am so so sorry. it is especially hard for men to be out of work I think society makes it very difficult for them. I sincerely hope he finds something soon.
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  10. I'm so sorry! I can't begin to imagine, since we're both teachers and things like this rarely affect us. I'm praying that he finds something easily and quickly!

    If you are interested, Flashback Friday is up!
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  11. What's that saying, everything happens for a reason? My thoughts are with you and your family. Hopefully, this will lead to something better for all of you. When one door closes, another opens
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  12. I am so very sorry! Trust me when I say that I DO understand what you are going through...I am going through something very similar right now too!
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  13. OH MY GOD- my husband called ME today and said the SAME THING. He works out on the highways as a bridge supervisor, and his job is finishing, but he thought he had a good six weeks. They told him today ONE WEEK. We have THREE kids, one starting college TOMORROW, and life just sucks right now. I feel your pain girl, I feel your pain.
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  14. I have been through the same thing with my husband. And we got through it..you will too. I will keep you in my prayers. P.S. We love watching Eureka. By the way, I gave your blog an award! Come check out my blog when you get a chance:)
    Erin
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  15. I'm so sorry Maricris...I know how it feels..I feel sick inside for you. We have gone through this time and time again because we are self employed (we do auto re-con and customizing for used car lots in town) and whenever economy starts getting rough..cars stop selling and so the car lots don't need us. In fact we just got notice 2 weeks ago from our biggest account (we only had 3 accounts being that we are on a small island) that they are allowing no more vendor work on the cars. Thats us..and thats basically a lay off. The other two lots had already fizzled down to just a few hundred bucks worth of work a month. The economy has hit Hawaii hard we lost Aloha Airlines, and another one that has special rates to the mainland..the name of it escapes me right now and then just a few weeks ago the sugarcane factory layed off 250 employees. It's real bad.

    Hubby is the bread winner in our home too. I have a chronically ill son whom I homeschool and then I do the bookkeeping for hubbys business and then my jewelry.

    We have been 'cut off' like this before off and on over the years..but it usually lasts a week. This time its' lasting longer. my husband took it harder this time and was depressed for a while. But he has just been taking it one day at a time and trying to get work out of other smaller places and so far enough work has come through to survive. As well as my jewelry selling has helped...esp since my son is really going through some stuff right now that require expensive tests not covered all the way by our rediculous insurance. It's always such good timing isn't it?

    But somehow it works out. We've had some pretty close calls...but so far we are still in business and havent had to catch a wave back to the mainland. Hearing whats happened to you guys though..I'm thinking it's not any better.

    Hugs to you..hang in there!
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  16. I fell upon your blog from mutha's and wanted to wish you well in recovery from your DH's layoff. Mine has an end date of march 31 2009 so he has to hang in there for several more months before we can get him out in the world looking for a new one. Ugh. I hate this for us all. I wish yo u all well in your new path.
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  17. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I would like to "plug" you into my Thursday Talant Show, next week. If you could give me a short summary of your craft and why/how you chose to design jewelry. Where you find your inspiration and a favorite piece that gave you the most satisfaction in creation, that'd be great.
    My prayers are with you and your family.
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  18. I am so sorry to hear this. I know this is more than a person can possibly take. You will make it . Be positive. You will be in my thoughts. If you need a friend please contact me anytime.
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  19. Hi Maricris, I'm so sorry to hear your husband lost his job! Bad news! I hope things look better for you soon.

    Yes, I got Shannon at http://www.eightcrazydesign.com/ to design my blog for me. It was a treat for myself: I love blogging and I wanted my design to look nicer than it used to.
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  20. I followed from your comment on my blog yesterday. Wow, the Eureka episode must have been difficult to watch after that news. I send you the best of wishes that all will be well.
    We have been there, my husband was laid off after 17 years at the same job, and we had 3 growing kids to deal with, and me not able to work. Times were tough but with patience, perserverance and faith you will survive and maybe this will open a new door for him to a better opportunity. My husband found a better job that he has been at for over two years now. Sending some Sassy Mama hugs, rumor has it they do wonders :)
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  21. Oh course we care about you... that's what friends do silly =). If you want to get your mind off things for a bit and think about happier times then visit my blog because I tagger you.

    Hope you are having a brighter day thanks to all of the love from us that is shining down on you.
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  22. I am so very sorry that your family has to go through such a stressful time. I will think good good thoughts for you and pray that everything will be resolved soon. There's no doubt in my mind that you will come of out this just fine.
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  23. Gosh, so sorry to hear about this. It puts my fender-bender in (tiny) perspective.

    Stay strong and hang together. I will be praying for something wonderful to come out of this for you (sometimes these things turn out to be an opportunity. Why not for you?)

    {{Hugs}}
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  24. It is as what my husband always says when I go frantic about our financial situation, "The Lord will provide." And what do you know, He always does! Have faith, Maricris. You and your family will come out of this stronger.
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  25. omigosh - I will keep you guys in my prayers... I fully believe that there's a reason for everything and that the Lord WILL provide. We may not always know what's going on behind the scenes but I have faith that He has a plan...
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  26. Make sure he applies for unemployment right away. Check into WIC for you daughter if you need to. Get support from church. Maybe do some babysitting. I did all these when my hubby lost his job - I was pregnant at the time, ugh. It all turned out fine after a few rough months. He got a much better job, benefits, pension... He's still there 9 years later. You will be ok, and you are in my prayers as well :)
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  27. I felt goose bumps while reading this post. Not that it's creepy, but a flash back that I'd been into this kind of a situation. The luxury of getting what we want and then suddenly stopped by untoward decisions or incidents. But I just thought then that life must go on, i'd help myself survive and I'm sure God would do the rest. You and your family can make it through this trial of life.
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  28. Hi. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment at my blog. I meant to visit earlier, but the most recent typhoon wreaked havoc with my internet connection. Anyway, I hope that this setback leads to an even better opportunity not only for your husband but for your entire family as well. Take care and hold on to that zen. :)

    Blessings,
    Ivy
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  29. Hang in there! Things will get bettter!

    ((hugs))
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  30. Hi again, and thanks for coming back to my blog! I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Hang in there, things are not always as we plan, but HE is in control.
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  31. My family's prayers are with you and your family. We hope everything works out for you! I'll be visiting your Etsy store, for sure! I have a weakness for earrings!
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  32. oh no, my happy zen...I'm sorry to hear about your hubby's job...my hubby was out of work for six months in 2007 do to visa issues,I was pregnant and not working...we used all of our savings and 401k and along with family's help we made it...so keep your head held high and remember to laugh even if you want to cry....stay positive your hubby will find something and it may even be better then what he had before!! :) Your family is in my thoughts and prayers! Can't wait for the blog post saying your hubby has a new job!! :)
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  33. I'm just getting caught up on the past week, and I'm so sorry to hear this. From what I've seen so far, you are strong, courageous, and positive, and I know you will weather this storm with grace. My heart is heavy for you, and I am praying that your husband finds another job soon. Who knows? He may end up finding something absolutely amazing...perhaps there is a reason for this. ::hug::
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  34. I'm so sorry to hear this. Prayers lang mommy. This too will pass
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