Recession

When the recession first started, I was hopeful like many other Americans, that it would be short lived. It has been almost a year since the economic slump. Although we aren't near the end of it all, there is a faint glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel that gets brighter each month.

That said, I thought that I would not be affected by the recession. That was until I got into a car accident. My car was totaled. I then lost my job. I had no money. It took be 4 weeks to find another job, and when I did find one, it was about 2 1/2 hours away from my home. I did the commute each day, for I had no choice. Since then, I found another job only 7 minutes away from my home and on campus. It has been such a great blessing.

However, those 4 weeks when I was jobless, penniless, and hopeless were the worst weeks in my entire life. I had never known the feeling of despair and grief quite like that before. I was looking for a job every single day, and nothing was headed my way. I woke up every morning and prayed that I would find something. Nothing. Not even a call from a loving bishop. I felt alone. I felt rejected.

Now, looking back, even though it has only been a few months since that all started, I can say...(vomit) that I am grateful for that experience. It has taught me to value and appreciate what I have, however little that may be. I remember posting on a blog the jealously I felt for people who had bread to eat and milk to drink. I had nothing but Top Ramen. Seriously. Nothing but Ramen. I couldn't afford anything else.

I am grateful for the really crappy moments in my life. I grow the most during them. Even though I hate going through those experiences, I learn lessons that I wouldn't trade. Losing my car, my job and my pride taught me that I don't need everything. I can get by with the things that sustain me.

God bless this recession.