For the Family: Day 768: 5 Minute Freewrite: Wednesday - Prompt: night shift

Source1

@Zeldacroft
@freewritehouse

Day 768: 5 Minute Freewrite: Wednesday - Prompt: night shift

If I can only hold on for another year.

By that time, everything will be back to normal. But I'm so tired I can hardly keep my eyes open. And, it's only Monday. Maybe if I just put my head down on the back of that seat for a minute. Not go to sleep because I'll miss my stop.

A feeling of hopelessness suddenly engulfed me, from the pit of my stomach rising up in my chest until it rang in my ear, warning me another migraine was taking over. I'd started having them again last month, just about the time I was released from my job. The handle on the seat feels cool to my forehead, providing some relief as I remembered that fateful day.

Source2

"Mr. Belfort, sorry to tell you that we don't require your services any longer," I remember the tall lanky man in the black suit saying. I didn't notice at the time how thin the man's face was, only that his tie didn't match his suit. I couldn't bring himself to look this fellow in the face.

With a heavy heart, I accepted the severance package and signed my name above the printed line on the Acknowledgement Received form.

It's December 1st. Holidays will be upon me in no time. So, I have to maintain control. All my life really, I've had to maintain control. For my family's sake.

I'm 61. I can't start over. In my line of work, everyone starts out on 3rd shift. Doesn't matter how experienced you are. The new hires get the night shift until they can work their way up or a bid opens up on the day shift they qualify for. So, here I am on the night shift of another machinist shop.

If I can only hold on for another year.

The party outside was in full swing, so they didn't hear me as I entered through the front door. I'll just go straight up and get presentable.

The next thing I know my wife is tapping me on the shoulder. I'd fell asleep on the bed listening to the laughter because I really didn't feel like joining in. The party over, I felt it was time to tell my family how I felt about trying to work the night shift at my age. They need to know that it's draining my health.

My family was amazing when I told them. They were so supportive. And to my surprise, my youngest daughter was the one who said, "Now, let's make a plan and budget as a family, and stick to it." She volunteered to switch to an in-state college, which was less expensive.

It was with total amazement that each child presented ways to contribute to our reduced budget. Then my wife said, "let's downsize to a more moderate neighborhood not far from where we are now, even with the kids staying close. We're already close-nit; a bit closer won't hurt."

With that, tears started to stream down my face. They didn't realize what they had just done for me.

Now, I don't have to think "if I can only hold on for another year".

Thanks,
@justclickindiva

Happy rest of the week everyone with whatever your endeavors.

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SOURCES:
a) JustClickin logo created at CoolText.Com
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) Separator Lines Free ClipArt Belt from Public Domain Vectors & ShadedLine from ClipArt-Library
e) All Tribe logos used with permission of Tribe Discord Channel admins.

1 Source1 Image by [Lisa Fotios] from Pexels

2 Source2Image by Lily Banse of Unsplash

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