Post Cards

#1

You may have noticed that I have not written for some time now.

So much for my promise for daily blog entries until J got a job.

As the months go on with no job offers I grow increasingly weary.

I don't even  have the energy to search out the support group I need to manage my anxiety, aimed at  spouses of the unemployed.  Yet, there are still beautiful days and the virtual gift cards we decided he would give me, in lieu of a birthday present. 

#2

There is the communication support group we have joined. It helps to be listened to for five minutes, no advise, criticism, question. This is supplemented with post it notes giving appreciations like:  I am so grateful that you are shopping, doing the laundry and cooking dinner a few nights a week.

#3

There is also music.  How fortunate we are that he can still sing and sing and sing.

#4

And then there is the interview with Obama in last week's New York Times Magazine.  This is my response:   You talk  about the value of a college education, as a preventive measure against possible unemployment. As a means towards a solid middle class life. WEll, then, there is clearly something not being said  if my highly experienced, educated, intelligent engineer trained husband cannot get work . And he is in a support group of at least 20 others just like him. It's been 6 months now for all of them.  What is the next step?

#5

Maybe it's in the next article in the Magazine.  It's about the social support system in the Netherlands. I need to live in a place like this, where unemployment insurance never runs out, where $5000 is returned to your bank account, out of the taxes that you paid, to assure that you can take a vacation. For 1 whole month a year.  And even if you are unemployed, as you may need this more than ever.