I do.
Or I did.
I have been watching the economy fall to pieces. I have seen the signs outside many stores declaring deep discounts as they close their doors. I have received the stomach wrenching notice from the city informing me of the ever dropping value of my house. I have listened as my clients told of lost jobs of seeking new ones and uncertain futures.
And still it seemed remote.
It was something that happened to other people. Not to me. I was just going to keep going along in my happy little life and be just fine.
Today Discover Card informed their employees that they will be laying off 500 people. A few days before that Andy was told his department would be significantly reduced and possibly done away with. There is absolutely no promoting or even movement within the company.
And I am scared.
Suddenly it doesn't seem so remote.
Two days ago we moved out of our house and into a rental. We are trying to short sale on the house.
A year ago I owned two houses. Now I live in a rental.
Now nothing is remote. I'm officially a statistic of the economy.
I feel so angry. We did everything right. We went to all the home buyer classes. We budgeted and bought within our means. We planned and prepared and worked hard. When things got tough we cut back and made do. And yet, we are still a statistic.
We are trying to look for the silver lining in things. Had we stayed at headquarters with Discover Andy more than likely would have been one of the 500 headed out the door. Coming back we took a demotion to stay together, that is what has made everything so difficult. In the end it might be the only thing that has saved us. Having a crummy job is infinitely better than having no job.
I am desperately looking for hope somewhere inside of myself. It is in a tight battle with fear at this point. More often then I would like to admit fear is in the lead.
I keep telling myself we are young and we will recover. I hope I'm not a liar.
15 comments:
Brittney, why did you have to go and post this. I have been trying really hard to just keep my fingers in my ears and la-la-la-la-la the days away until we know more.
It's not working though. I am ready to puke. I just keep thinking "500 people, mostly from Riverwoods" over and over and over. Very scary when it hits close to home but even scarier if it ends up hitting home.
I am keeping you and the rest of our Discover family in my prayers. I am so sorry about the house. This world is a wreck. I can't imagine not having the gospel right now. Hold on!
We will def keep you guys in our prayers too!
Wow, I had no idea! I will be praying for you guys!!!
ugh, ugh, ugh. I now understand your feeling like you've been beaten with a stick. Lets hope your move did protect you from being jobless, even if "underemployed" its better than unemployed, right?
Britt I am so sorry! I feel the exact same way. I saw everything going on on the news and then I felt it gradually trickling towards me with friends and family being laid off. Then Boom it hit Tim and I as well. I lost all of my daycare kids because most of their dads were in construction and out of work and Tim's work cut his overtime and are making them take 2 mandatory days off without pay a month. They've already laid off 100 people and are going to be laying off 100 more. Tim doesn't have the seniority. Like you I have just been sick. Hang in there!! Love ya!! I'll be praying for you!!
I'm sorry. That is a sick feeling. I feel for you! It seems like you guys are smart and planning ahead for the worst. I thought we'd be safe with my husband a full-time student and us living off student loans for the next 3 years, until the state decided to make huge higher education cuts, which is making his tuition like $10,000 more a year. It's ridiculous. No one is safe. Hang in there!
I am so sorry!!! It gave me goose bumps reading this. I feel so bad! I don't think there really is anything to say to make it better. You have always been so good to live within your means and do the best you can. Good luck with everything and I will be praying for you guys!
This topic is always on my mind. It stresses me out so much! I am so sorry to hear about your situation. I really hope all turns out well. I will keep you in my prayers.
Wow! We had no idea things were so rough!
Let us know if there is anything at all that we can do.
Oh dear, I had no idea all this was going on. I'm SO sorry for any additional stress I might have caused! Once again, I express my deep and sincere apologies for my actions when I'm ignorant of the situation. We love you and wish you the very best! We'll be fasting and praying for you.
This is so hard Brittney. I hope and pray that things get better for you. I often look at things the same way -- with remoteness -- but now I see it happening to my closest friends and family. And it opens my eyes in horror. Sometimes things just go wrong. But I know that if you are faithful, you will recover. Don't lose hope!
The Beam's highly suggest rereading or re-listening to President Eyring's and Elder Christofferson's talk during General Conference. I think it helps us in our family and financial situation, we know it will do the same for you.
We understand the frustration of an uncertain future. We are basically in the same boat, and its not a cruise ship sailing to Encenada. My question is, are you TRULY doing everything you can? Reread/re-listen to those talks! If you are truly doing all that you can, you have nothing to worry about, right!!
I'm with you girl! Don't lose hope. Remember what President Monson said in conference on Sunday: that even though the economy stinks, think of the blessings we have in the gospel. We'll be praying for you too!
Hold fast. You have the Sharps in your corner and the Lord on your side. All is well, all is well.
Thinking of you!
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