Friday, January 10, 2014

Day 16 - groceries

Today my youngest son and I stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few basics, with the hope that we can really get them to stretch. We bumped into another parent of a wrestler, and he casually asked if we were also picking up food for tomorrow's meet. The question is harmless enough, yet today I really felt the sting of it.

Through a major accident, and a divorce that led to years of courthouse time, and mistakes along the way, we have known what it is like to struggle, to wonder if there will be food in the cupboard or when the power can get turned back on. And through hard work, we've managed to keep things pulled together and even enjoy a little extra now and then. Except in the field of education, they keep taking. And taking. This year's pay cuts were devastating, and they are starting to catch up.

Our casual trip to Kroger for milk, eggs, bread, and some chicken, was a source of anxiety. This has to get us through two weeks, and I'm not sure how it's going to happen with growing boys in the house. So when a parent asked what seemed like a simple question, are you getting food for the wrestling meet, my heart broke. How do you tell someone that you can't do your part and send in food for the wrestling meet because you can't even feed the children you have? How do you explain that you had to stop going to your kids sporting stuff on days you don't have enough money for gas or the admittance fee? How do you keep holding it altogether when your employer keeps taking it away?

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