Some need.....some don't......

Driving back to the shop he sensed the snow flurries were an early indicator that work would halt soon for the season. He had heard that layoffs were coming soon and that he should be prepared for the immediate cessation of ongoing work and therefore, pay.


Pulling the company truck into the yard he could see a scurrying about that seemed unusual. He inquired and learned that this was the last day for many, he included. Running out to their trucks, fellow workers knew the importance of getting to the line quickly, thereby securing the unemployment benefits and avoiding a gap in the available beer money, and the mortgage as well.

He walked into the cold government office noticing immediately the drab colors and worn tile floor under the feet of the hopefuls standing in line. After taking his spot deep in the order, he stood quietly, lacking any expression, embarrassed. During the wait, and as his feet and hands thawed, he began to look around. Many had been here before; others like him were new to the ordeal.

After nearly 3 hours of standing, he reached the point of next in line. While overhearing the insensitive drilling of questions to the woman in front of him, with her two children in tow, and her desperate responses, he wondered what had led him to this moment of requiring a hand-out, and more importantly, what was he learning from it. As the woman turned with tears streaming down, he turned as well, and walked off and out the door, never missed, but also never to return again.


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