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Seven days...just 7 more days of working for United Way. I asked for, planned for, was excited about this change, but as it becomes a reality, I often find myself dealing with a strange feeling in the pir of my stomach. It’s just nerves, fear of change, loss of identity...just relax, it will go away. That’s not as easy as they want it to sound. This is the first time in over 30 years that I will not go to work every day.
Over the weekend I realized that while it is change that is causing my discomfort, it’s not loss of identity, or fear of boredom, or even just fear of change. It’s the fact that I won’t be earning a paycheck. What will happen to us if something happens? Will we be okay, will we be homeless?
Now, I do understand that I am jumping to the worst that can happen. We have retirement accounts, savings, insurance, and all the usual safeguards in place for retirement. We have been lucky, but after 12 years of dealing with the results of income loss and hard times for others, I can’t help but think of what could and does happen to so many others. 30% of the American population lives on less than $40,000 annually. The good news is poverty rates have been decreasing for children and remaining stable for 18–64-year-olds. The bad news is more and more people over 64 are falling into poverty.
When I really stop and consider what I am feeling, that is what is most disturbing to me. I know that there are resources available for people, I connect people to them daily. But I also know there is not enough, that people fall through the cracks. As women age, we are often overlooked and disregarded, Too many single or widowed woman are working long after they want to or planned to. The thought of this leaves me uneasy. I understand the choices that I could one day be forced to make, I understand the stigma that comes with asking for and accepting help.
Because I have been made aware of these possibilities, we have taken all precautions. Like I said, we are lucky and there is no need to worry for me. We have had a very good life up until now and expect it to continue. However, we should all be aware of what difficult choices others who have not been so lucky, are forced to make daily. For them it is not a choice. If you have children to feed and house an clothe, you can’t allow stigma to stop you from accessing resources. IF you haven’t done so yet, take a few minutes and go through our on-line Poverty Simulation, sponsored by Red Wing Credit Union. Tough decisions are being faced every single day, there is no escaping it. There are no vacations from the stress and anxiety of not knowing when you might eat again or where you’ll sleep at night.
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If like me, you are one of the lucky ones, take a moment to remember those that are out there needing the resources United Way and so many others provide. For those of you who support our work, I thank you for your partnership through the years. United Way will go on long after I leave, because of you and people like you.
Here's to seven more days!
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