Opening the letter, the words – You are hereby terminated from your employment, hit me like a ton of bricks. After 18 years as a Deputy Sheriff, numerous bar fights and gun drawn felony stops, a Health condition that I have had since birth has sidelined me 2 years away from a 20 year retirement.
While I believe things happen for a reason, I don’t see that reason written on any nearby wall or carved into the trees that surround my house. I believe that doors aren’t shut with out windows being opened, at nearly 270 lbs all I can find are those small basement style windows that are impossible for big boys to climb through.
Being raised with a strong work ethic, I believe as husband and father, I am responsible for the financial needs of my family. As I sit here right now, the kids are at school and my wife has just left for a long shift as a cashier at the local Walmart Store.
Life as I know it has done a 180 degree turn in 6 months. In end stage liver failure now, I find my body beating up on me. in a 24 hour period 16 hours or better are spent sleeping. The liver is compared to the battery in your car, it is the one organ that is in charge of charging your body. In my case not only do I have a bad battery, but the alternator is shot as well.
While not giving up hope on life or returning to work someday and finishing my retirement plans. I believe – like a 3rd grader – that ain’t fair! My family has never been in a spot like this before. At the grocery store, people snicker and whisper the words “he doesn’t look sick.” while in front of me in line is a person using a public aid card to buy 9 gallons of milk. and then that same person pulls out a couple of crisp $100.00 bills and buys several cases of beer. When told by the cashier that dog food can not be bought with the public aid card, he looks at the cashier and says – “I’ll be right back.”. Returning to the check out lane he puts 3 family packs of hamburger down and laughs as he says the dogs will eat good tonight.
I believe the the working class – the hard workers, the people that work two maybe even three jobs to support there family are getting kicked to the curb by Government ran help agencies. After working 18 years as a county Deputy , 6 years as a local small town Police officer – not to mention several part time/ on the side jobs. I am told my family cant get help as our income is 300.00 to high. In this political year and with the word “Change” being battered around like it was a foot ball . I believe those who work and work hard are forgot about.
Speaking of Change – does anybody have some my kids need money for school lunches. we don’t fit the guidelines for free lunches – go figure!