Can we talk?

Working during primetime TV

    After a long period of unemployment, I have finally found a part-time, low pay job. It will barely net me enough to pay the monthly medical insurance and car insurance. Mind you I am no spring chicken living in my father's home, with no expectations of ever repaying room and board, or medical after insurance, or gas, or car upkeep. I'm griping, but I'm well aware that I'm blessed to have such financial support.

    He is not a rich man. He's worked hard all his life, hardly ever taking sick leave. When we were kids, he worked two jobs to keep Mom at home with us. He's always lived cheaply and sacrificed for his kids and grandchildren. We didn't turn out to be bad people, but except for one, we've never been successful financially. Dad's always been there, through our divorces, our unemployment, our health set-backs. When we are able, we do things for him. I'm particularly expensive to keep alive because of permanent health issues. And he's paying the bills without grumbling. Finally, I can help a little, but can't completely care for myself. If I don't add another part-time job, or replace this one with a better one, I'll be short about $4500 at the end of the year, and it's unfair to my Dad and my siblings to keep draining him.

    And my new hours require that I be gone during the evening hours, the time I've been the most company for him, and the time I fixed his dinner and cleaned up afterward. Now he'll have to reheat or prepare his own and do his own clean-up. I'll set the table before I go. When it's cold out, I can fix homemade soup or chili ahead of time, and leave it for re-heating.

  As for me, I won't be able to go to plays at the University, or church dinners. But I'm already thinking about the TV shows that have become a habit. I can't finish watching America's Got Talent. Other summer fare is not worth watching anyway. But I'll miss all the new fall shows. Now is this a warped point of view? For another dollar or two an hour, I'm sure it would be very easy to forget all about TV.

  During the day, I will clean house, do laundry, cook some basics, pull weeds, and job hunt. There's got to be something better out there for a B A with years of experience. But I'll keep practicing an attitude of gratitude.