What are we going to do?
66We have a problem!
Approximately 20yrs ago we had a week of overwhelming trials a time of happiness and terror all at once. We found out my wife was pregnant, we had been married 14yrs and having a child was good news for us and our families. Our employer wasn't happy and let us both go for different reasons. We would never consider an abortion no matter how bad the timing.
We sat in our apartment on the end of the bed and we cried because we knew we were in financial trouble. We had bills and a property in the Hill Country a truck payment, rent, credit cards and two dogs. We dried our eyes and hugged alot but we knew we couldn't just sit there. I went and got a paper.
I found a delivery job and I delivered papers in the morning and my wife got on with a temp company working in medical office. It wasn't near enough and not near what we were making but we had to our best, I was so tired that there were times I couldn't drive home I would pullover and sleep in the cab of the truck. My wife was having swelling problems so she had to cut her hours. All along the phone never stopped ringing, everybody wanted money and we were acquiring medical debt. We had never been in financial trouble before and this was fast becoming hell.
The time came and our beautiful son was born and we were so proud. He looked like a cone-head but he still looked good! He had a sugar issue when he first arrived and he had to spend some time in the ICU. Well I went down to the Humana office and discussed the cost. It was massive, I gave them a check for what I could and I promised I would pay every penny. Our Doctor was a saint and said when you can, I was in tears so many helped and I didn't know how I'd pull it off.
The phone rang continuously and the anger and threats were overwhelming. My wife couldn't answer the phone any more she would just breakdown. She got a new job commensurate with her skills and we started making ground. It was hard and our son was so young he never knew anything but love. We were so glad he didn't see us cry or know our pain, we are so grateful for that.
We payed everything off, every cent. No one bailed us out there was no government anything. It was our mess and we busted our ass to fix it! We didn't take no hand-outs we paid our own way and thats the way it used to be. You played the hand you were dealt. This save the world doesn't help anyone, it only teaches them to get in line for the next handout. No free rides everybody pays their own way.
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Sneak, this is a story that needs to be told to the young. They have been trained to reach out their hands, with no consequences, no hard work, just entitlement. The economy is perposely manipulated, and all seems bad, however with a little elbow grease and reality check, we, each in their own small way, can survive. Great Hub, Thanks for sharing.
Thanks were doing great now. We never thought about help we figured it was our mess now fix it!
Eovery it was a serious lesson and we never taken spending money lightly ever since. It was very humbleing to have a phone collector tell you your a deadbeat.Thanks, we can't expect to be bailed out.
Giberish, I could just give you a hug for being so supportive, you're amazing!
Your story is inspiring and you and your wife are a shining example of the way things should be. I raised my children with this same ethic and it has served them well. They are responsible successful people who live within their means, pay their bills and as you said "clean up their own messes". Great hub and hats off to you!
Thanks Breakfastpop! Its just the way it should be.
So cool! Thanks for sharing this hub!
Great testimony to how life is and how courage and commitment work!
Great hub man!!!
I tell my son that he can keep his left hand out asking for money as long as the right hand is working...he soon realized it cannot be done.
~Q&T~
Thanks Brenda! You're a great friend!
Hey Quiet! It's important to teach our kids take care of your buisness before your buisness takes care of you! I like what you told your son thats exactly the point!
"It was very humbleing to have a phone collector tell you your a deadbeat. Thanks, we can't expect to be ...."
I just don't get it!! Where do these people get the idea that they need to insult you?? My husband and I we're subscribed to a couple of magazines that cost us $19.80 a month. It was a 2 year contract and no problem because my hubby was working. Then, he lost his job because of bankruptcy and we could no longer make the payments.
The lady on the phone said that people like US should pay our bills etc... We always paid our bills and this happened to be the 1st time. Its bad enough that hubby lost his job, we didn't need this brat judging us. We paid what we owed because I found a babysitting job and my husband found a job 2 weeks later. I was a social worker and with the government cut-backs, I lost my job 3 years earlier.
Hugs to you guys!
Great uplifting hub! The "entitlement" attitude has grown to mythic proportions in this country and those trying to make ends meet are flipping the bill. I applaud your sense of self worth and integrity in taking care of the business at hand. This is written in you book of life and will be presented before the Father with Jesus Christ as your Advocate. Keep up the diligent effort!
Bravo! Now this Hub should be a headline on the evening news!
Great story! Amen brother! I can relate some what. Everything I have I worked hard for no hand outs here. Thanks for sharing. Young parents and young kids take note. K.
Hey K! You know how life gets! We just have to teach our kids to be self-sustaining survivors. It's becoming less and less possible for families to help much. Thanks for stopping by!
eovery says:
3 months ago
I am glad things worked out. You learned a lot during this times, and it made you a better you.
We need more people who are honest and hard working to do this. If the people today would do this, we would not be in the financial problems we have now.
Keep on hubbing!