i got a job.

[Fritz Walter]

66. Empathy includes celebrating successes like this!

Five years ago, my 39-year career with a NGO came to an abrupt end. Applied for so many different — carefully selected— jobs and heard nothing. Nada. Zip.

Did some gig-work for a federal contractor, with decent pay, but no benefits, nor a guarantee of hours per week. It helped make ends meet, but I decided to start drawing SS benefits. Keeping a roof over my head, and health insurance (for someone in his 60s, those monthly payments were higher than housing) were the proverbial wolf at the door.

After a few months, a friend hired me on for part-time work. Still no benefits — other than a 401(k) match — but helped me survive. In addition to the gig-work.

Today, I got a nasty-gram from Social Security: they overpaid me last year. $500. That will be deducted from my September benefits. So be it. Considering how last year’s Social Security monthly checks kept me alive and (relatively) healthy during that time, I can now afford to swallow that bitter pill. Pardon the pun.

The thought that Yertle McTurtle and other RepubliCONs want to raid the Social Security program to polish the turd of corporate tax cuts (and their impact on the federal deficit), makes me more determined to get out the vote next year.

Been there. Done that. Got the scar tissue.
Hang in there!