Remembering to count my blessings The Unemployment Line

by Cynthia Baxter

“Every cloud has a silver lining.” Heard that one? Pessimistic Cindy, the little devil that sits on my left shoulder, thinks that statement is a bunch of bull. But the glass-half-full Cindy, donned with shimmering angel wings and a halo as she sits on my right shoulder, sees things quite differently.

I suppose I need to count my blessings.

For starters, the timing of my downsizing was lousy, since my eldest was preparing to graduate from high school and start college. However, I had ample time for planning her open house and spending time with her before she left home.

I also remember fondly one day last fall when my husband had to check out a job site in Richmond, Ind., and asked me to join him. The weather was great, so we took his Yamaha Majesty. I had my cell phone, of course, in case any prospective employers tried to reach me. We enjoyed a nice lunch then went to the library to do some genealogical research. I also was able to check my email and look at job postings while we were there. But the majority of the day trip was about enjoying one another’s company.

Another blessing I found during my downtime was being able to spend my days with our dog, Suzy. We adopted the cocker-mutt in 1994, so she grew up with my daughters. Being home with Suzy helped me to see that she wasn’t the spry puppy she used to be. Just after Christmas, we discovered she had some serious health problems. In January, we had our vet euthanize her to end her suffering. That was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Looking back, though, I’m so grateful that I was able to be home with her in her final months.

Also, I started a weekly four-hour shift of volunteering for a healthcare ministry. Growing my working knowledge of the healthcare industry has to be a good strategy in this job market. I do have somewhat of an ulterior motive in that I’ve been trying to land a job with the organization. I do a lot of “busywork,” but I also have plenty of occasions to assist patients and their families, something I truly enjoy. I hope that when I start working full-time, I still will be able to volunteer.

This week, I made my fourth visit to volunteer at Fletcher Place Ministries mission on Indy’s southeastside. Anyone considering volunteering should spend time serving the indigent; it’s a sure-fire way to gain a new appreciation for what you have.

I can count many more blessings: We are surviving financially; I have more time to spend with my younger daughter; my Web site, www.MasterfulCommunications.com, is starting to see some action; I’ve been catching up with old friends on Facebook; and I still believe God has an awesome plan for me.

Even though I’m seriously tired of job-hunting, I’m also very thankful that I haven’t gone insane yet.