
Happies
It’s been a rough week here at the Heger house.
And what’s really unfortunate about the bad is that it came on the heels of so much good….which makes the good a little harder to enjoy.
We moved to a 3 bedroom/2.5 bath duplex in Overland Park last week, and invested in some brand new furniture for our bedroom. Our savings account was finally getting to a place we were comfortable with. My temporary job had been extended for another year (With benefits! I have never had a job with benefits before). We were feeling super grown up, happy and excited.
Then last Friday, Steven was laid off.
Naturally, this came as a bit of a surprise. Oh, life, you are so so funny.
We threw ourselves one massive pity party. I didn’t eat dinner, partly because we were still busy moving, and partly because I figured I better get well acquainted with hunger. Around 9:30 we popped a frozen pizza in the oven, and as we sat cross-legged on the floor enjoying our gourmet meal, we convinced ourselves this was going to be our life. Cheap, processed food eaten on paper plates with the carpet as our table. We were doomed. We just knew it.
Then we went to bed, and when we woke up the next day we still had food in the house. We still had all our clothes. We could still afford a couple tanks of gas. We realized we are still incredibly privileged.
Once we got over the shock, it was clear this was not the end of the world. We still had my job, a decent amount of savings, and Steven applied for unemployment. Are we cutting back substantially? Yes. But can we still pay our bills? Yes. And will we go hungry? No, no no.
Even with this unanticipated bump in the road, I still consider myself lucky and my blessings plenty.
Plus, Steven wasn’t entirely happy at his job anyway. Maybe this is his chance to find work he truly enjoys.
I am confident that in a few months’ time, we will look back at this and laugh. And I know it will all work out, probably even better than before. Still, adjusting to this sudden change has been a struggle, which is why I need little happies even more than usual.
Here are a some of my recent happies. Maybe they’ll make you smile too.
A good chuckle (someone needs a refresher on the definition of communism….)
Remembering this vacation
This conversation with my sister from two years ago
This birthday text from my cousin
This card from one of my little dance students
THIS
AND THIS
And of course this
What are some of your happies? (Please share. I really kind of need them.)