The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Index

21.May.2004

You know that saying about seeing the light at the end of the tunnel? This is generally said after someone has been through a difficult time and is finally seeing the end of their current problems. Out of the darkness, into the light, so to speak. There’s another saying that the light at the end of the tunnel is simply a freight train coming at you to run you over.

We just got run over.

Those of you that know us personally, and those of you that read my columns, are aware of what has been going on in our life. After 18 months of unemployment, thanks to Boeing, hubby found a great job in another city. We sold our home of twelve years and moved. We bought a brand new home. It’s beautiful and although the children have had a difficult time leaving their friends, they appear to be finally making moves towards adjusting to the change. We’re starting to make friends in the neighborhood and finding our way around this new town. The light at the end of the tunnel appeared to be shining down upon us and bathing us in the warmth of hope. Money was tight, but that’s to be expected when you’re coming off of a year and a half of no work.

Things were going well, which probably should have been my first clue that the light at the end of this long tunnel wasn’t something good.

Hubby lost his job last Friday. Wham. Major train wreck.

There was no warning. Nothing. This company knew we’d moved here. They gave him time off to move. Wasn’t that nice of them? We thought so too. Such nice people.

The next day hubby had a boil pop up on his neck. Ok, job loss, boils, what’s next? I knew I shouldn’t have asked that question, because I soon found out. Pestilence. Our new home has a carpenter ant infestation. Yep. Pestilence. It appears that we’ve somehow stepped into a time warp and have landed smack dab in an Old Testament story, starring US!

Oh wait, there weren’t any freight trains in the Old Testament, were there? Well, there’s always famine and plague to look forward to I suppose. And death. Oh yeah, death. But we’re holding out for the plague and famine thing first.

What’s ironic is that hubby got a phone call from his old Worksource contact who wanted him to talk to King5 News in Seattle as one of their success stories. Out of work, retrain, get a job, and voila’! Success! Only we’re pretty sure they don’t want to talk to him now that he’s once again out of work.

Although that might be a good idea…he would get some media exposure and perhaps we’d see that little light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully this time it won’t be a train.

Index

editor's note: due to stoopid people who can't behave in public (ie, spammers) we have had to turn off the comment feature on our older columns. We'll try waiting a while and then turning it back on to see if they get bored and go away. In the mean time, we will manually add any REAL comments if you email them to us. The link is below.

I am so sorry, Pamela. I think you guys should go on the news to expose that company and the fact that there is just no loyalty to workers anymore--not even the limited loyalty companies felt in the past. And your story is also a testament to this rotten economy. I don't know what your politics are, but I am just so sick of so many of my friends suffering from job loss, the proliferation of beggars on Austin's street corners, the impossible rise in gas prices AND groceries and everything else that has to get from point A to point B. Your story is just so typical of what many people face. That doesn't make it any easier, but it should be told--to as many people as possible--so SOMEONE will turn this economy around and quit wasting money overseas. That's just my personal opinion, and it comes out of fury at what that company did to your family. But I know I'm not the only one who's fed up. Hope there is REAL light at the end of the tunnel soon. Will keep you in my prayers,-Lisa
Lisa Shirah-Hiers
Austin, TX USA -

Oh what terrible news. I hope the company paid for your move. Did your husband get any kind of severance since he just moved and all? I am sure things look pretty bleak to you right now. You are in my prayers that things will get better for you and your family.
Judy
TX USA -

Dear Pamela I hardly know what to say... other than how deeply I feel for you. What a major disappointment and huge financial impact this latest twist must be making on all of you. I cannot fathom how anyone could be so coldhearted as to have someone move to their location and then "poof" just like that fire someone. I know that economic times are tough everywhere, but honestly! I am always amazed at how you can keep on finding the cute, funny, lighter side of life even when trains are barrelling in your direction. Keep looking for the rainbows... I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. And, when you are able to write -- we all ALWAYS love hearing from you ! You not only have the gift of humor in writing but you have the uncanny knack of making each of us take pause to reassess our own situations and what we choose to be upset about and what we can laugh at. Hugs Lee
Lee Ambrose
TX USA -

I'm so sorry to hear about what has just happened to you and your family. Is there some way to sue his compnay for moving expenses? That is one of the most rotten things I've heard of a company doing, and they do a lot of mean things. At least it sounds like you're keeping your sense of humor as always. Keep your chin up!
Jason
Boulder, CO USA -

NO, it was a train, but you are all alive and well I hope except for the boil. I'm so sorry, what a bummer. God does have a sence of humor dosen't he? Hang in there. Love ya Trudy John 8:12
Trudy Starr
Seattle, WA USA -

OOOOooooo... I'm sorry! Keep up the humor Pam. This sounds like a time when not laughing equals crying! Best of luck and God Bless!
Jeri Lynn
shoreline, WA USA -

Scripts modified from Matt Wright's guestbook. His scripts can be found at Matt's Script Archive

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The Light at the End of the Tunnel...

21.May.2004