My mom’s voice on the line indicated something was wrong. My dad lost his job today. His company laid off 40 people, effective immediately. So now he’s at home, relaxing with their dog. All I could do was let out a loud gasp; mom said that was her reaction, too. After a while, though, I was able to muster, “What a bunch of dicks!” Profound, I know.
I feel awful for my dad, and my mom does too, but she explained that he’s feeling a bit of relief. He’d been unhappy in his position for at least a few years, and his job caused him tremendous stress. In fact, I assumed “Daddy” would be followed by “…had a heart attack” rather than “…lost his job.”
Now he’ll be forced to move on to (hopefully) better things. I only wish the departure could have been made on his terms rather than the company’s. He had worked there since I was a baby. He worked very, very hard, without much appreciation or reward. My dad is an amazing man who has put his family above himself and his personal desires my whole life – probably longer. I remember when he got a job at Toys R Us to supplement his income one Christmas season, so we’d wake up to find presents under the tree.
I can’t help but feel stressed out for my parents, and little guilty, for being the daughter who depends on daddy’s generosity when she overdraws her checking account or needs a “loan” (never to be repaid). I’ve been wanting to pay him back forever, but I can never catch up with my debts and expenses. I feel guilty for having a job at all. A 53 year old man should be planning for retirement, not searching for employment. But I guess that’s the way things go. I just hope he’s able to pick himself up and find a good job that’s deserving of him.
Oh Sarah, I’m sorry for your dad. I think it’s great that you’re trying to put a positive spin on it. My father-in-law works for GM so he’s basically counting the days until he loses his job too. I can’t imagine what it’s like to put in 30+ years only to be told you’re no longer necessary.
I’m sorry to hear about your dad’s job, and hoping that he’s on to bigger, better, less-stressful things. He sounds like an awesome guy– he must be to have raised a daughter like you!
I know I said it before, but I have your family in my thoughts.
Sorry to hear about your dad. This happened to a friend of mines dad, company he worked at for like 25 yrs laid him off this fall (auto related). He actually felt similar though, it had become a horrible stressful place because of downturn economy etc..and they’d being cutting back for a while. He JUST found a new job like last week and started monday.
oh i’m so sorry! how disturbing and stressful. it seems so wrong when longime employees are laid off…couldn’t they find anyone else? i hope your family finds a way to get by financially and that it turns out to be a weight lifted from your dad.
(((SarahMC)))
I’m so sorry to hear that! My boss just announced this morning that our company will be starting layoffs soon. It’s a terrible feeling.
I hope your dad finds a more enjoyable job ASAP!
Thanks for the support, lovies. Bluebears, I hope to dog my dad isn’t out of work for half a year! I told my mom this news was going to stress me out and she was like “oh no don’t worry,” knowing I’m the biggest worry wart on the planet. Now I envision my parents losing their house and going to live in a tent city or something. It’s just such a strange feeling, when I’ve never known a time when my dad wasn’t working for company X.
They wont! My friend was a basket case too and her mom told her the same thing pretty much. Although she added, “if you’re gonna worry, worry about me killing your father if he’s home driving me crazy all summer” (she’s a teacher). Big hugs!
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. This downturn has effected so many people. At his age he is going to have a rough time but I will keep my fingers crossed for him. Hopefully he will be able to find something that he will find full filling.
I, too, am sorry to hear about your dad! Mine’s in the same shape. He was a long distance trucker for 35+ years and gave it up for quiet little job working as a shuttle bus driver for the company my brother, my sister-in-law, my fiance, and I all worked for. He loved it, he was less stressed out, and his health problems even lessened. The company he quit working for in order to take the bus job asked him what it would take to get him back.
When the company cut the lot of us, he couldn’t even go back to the old company – they’re slated to close up at the end of April. He’s getting cataracts and can’t drive at night, but the only thing he’s ever done is drive. He’ll be 60 in a week and a half. Who’s going to hire him?
I get the guilt thing. Any time we have a little extra spending money, we try to get my parents something they’d like, but can’t afford. Like bacon (it’s sad when bacon becomes a luxury item). How many times have my parents bailed me out after some hare-brained scheme didn’t work out quite as I had hoped?
Oh honey, this happened to my dad about a month ago too. He’s doing odd carpentry and home improvment type jobs, but no actual steady job yet. I worry about him every day, he’s 54 and has worked har manual labor jobs his whole life, the last 18 years outside (in WI year round) so he’s kinda broken down. His knees are a mess, etc. I don’t know what he’s going to end up doing, I can’t imagine him inside at a computer (he’s never turned one on).
I hear you on the “Daddy Loans” too. My parents are great and would do anything for me, I hate to see them shaken like this.
SarahMC,
Sorry to hear about your old man’s troubles. Keep in mind is that, despite our societal prejudices about age, 53 is still pretty young. BigDaddyRat (RIP) found an awesome job at the age of 60; it was a position commensurate with his age, experience, and education and happened to pay him more money than he ever made before.
I’m getting to the point in my career where I could be competing with your father (and others like him) for a job and I dare say that my experience and skills would probably come up short in that comparison. If your Pops is anything like you; tough, smart, and fierce; he’ll be just fine.