Tag: life

There’s a first time for everything

For example, this week, after having been a part of the work force for sixteen years, I was laid off for the first time in my life. To be honest, it was not completely unexpected and I was half-ready to quit a week ago. Funny how life surprises you sometimes.

On the plus side, it was a only a few hours a week and I still have a few more weeks to go before this particular job ends (and I have another job to make ends meet). A friend suggested actually celebrating this “first”, which I am not so sure about. I had a drink with a friend last night, does that count?

What are everybody’s experiences with getting laid off? Did it happen out of the blue? Were you relieved? Did you celebrate?

Blunt life questions

Today, on our way home from the playground, my niece asked me out of the blue: Why aren’t you married yet?

For a second, I stopped dead in my tracks. Why was she asking me such a blunt question, a question that I grapple with more times than I care to admit? (Not necessarily about the “being married” part per se, but more in general about my relationship status.)

I answered: Well, I guess I haven’t met the right person yet. Or maybe I’ll never get married. Some couples decide to get married, others don’t. Both are valid life choices. There are many different ways of living and being.

My 5-year-old niece accepted the answer and consequently turned the conversation over to dinosaurs.