Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Rough All Over

At a coffee shop the other morning, I watched a man repeatedly shuffle papers in a notebook and dial his phone then snap it shut with a grimace.

Despair. I was watching despair.

Someone he knew approached and asked the man if he was all right.

"I have to find some work. Today. I have to find work today."

A story tumbled out, one of a man willing and ready to work but unable to find a job. Mentioning his wife and children, the man's eyes welled and his voice shook.

This morning I edited an article about the relationship between the rising cost of health insurance and poverty. 62% of bankruptcies relate to health care costs. Of that 62%, more than 70% have insurance coverage. Inadequate to be sure, but coverage. Insurance rates are rising at more than five times the rate of inflation.

At this moment, I am well. I have everything I truly need and most of what I want. The sun is shining on my little house, my doggie is snoring beside me, and I am headed to another full day of work.

Rumi's blossoms of blessings are falling all around me, and I am grateful.

3 comments:

mamatulip said...

I just wrote about finding work and how scared I am about getting back in to it after nine years out.

It's tough all over. I feel for the man you saw yesterday.

Alijah Fitt said...

this is really sad, but still lets not talk about government plans to rectify healthcare plans, socialism is some kind of disease right?

Deb Shucka said...

I am grateful for my life as well, and feel so sad for that man and the thousands of others in his shoes.