‘Holidays literally around the corner with with not a dollar to spend for my loved ones is quite depressing and stressful’
I have been jobless for about a month or so now. My previous job was in Fremont barely making enough to get there and back due to my car that ate my gas and of the prices being outrageously high. But like everyone else, I needed a job to get me around. Let alone every pay check went into bills which now is piling up due to no income. And giving money to my parents who unfortunately are unemployed as well and are seniors.
The previous job out of the blue let me go due to their lack of resources and ever since I’ve been looking for another job. Yet, no luck. Holidays literally around the corner with with not a dollar to spend for my loved ones is quite depressing and stressful. Every year I would get everyone something even if it was something small but this time I can’t even do that. Giving during the holidays is the best feeling and not being able to do that makes me not want to be around my family and friends. I would feel selfish and wrong receiving and not giving anything in return.
Yesterday, I went to the mall and it hit me. Seeing everyone shopping with numerous bags in their hands and not even one in mine made me emotional. I got into deep thoughts, ” What am I going to do? I have no money to spend to buy anything. ” So I left the mall, but the thoughts remained. Hopefully, I get a job soon. Even if the gifts might be late, its always better to be late than never. That became my conclusion. That way I’m not over stressing knowing my family and friends won’t even mind. Just to spend quality time would be more than enough.
I’ve always been big on loved ones. Luckily for me my family and friends are near by. Though no one should go through the holidays with heavy shoulders, I learned a valuable lesson. Save money. I spent money here and there throughout the year. And when the most important time of the year comes, I have none. I had no suspicions a meeting on a Monday would end up to me losing my job. Now I am in the ratio of jobless for the holidays.
Mary B.; San Leandro, CA
