Things That Matter

As I get older, and yes I'm old. I realize that the important things that matter the most in life is family and friends.

For the first time in my life I work a job that pays a decent wage and both my husband and I can finally save for retirement. We are a little late in life to be having to save for retirement, but we are finally trying to play catch up. We've always worked hard and we've never really had a break when it comes to making enough money. Just like most people.

The thing that is bothering me the most is, that even though I'm very thankful to have a job I'm missing life.

I work as a customer service representative in retail. Retail jobs are not family friendly. I was told when I started my job that after six months I'd be eligible to have two days off in a row. Of course ideally I'd love to have Saturday and Sunday off, but I know that would be very difficult to have. I am trying to get Sunday and Monday off. As it is I took the unsavory hours of second shift, mainly to have the morning with my husband as he also works the second shift. The only day we have together is Sunday. One day a week, which is filled with chores and we don't really get a chance to go anywhere together. I also get a random day off during the week.

My job is giving me grief about getting two days off in a row. They offered two days off during the week, but that defeats the whole purpose of spending time with my husband. It isn't like my husband has two days off during the week, and he can't call out sick to take off with me, any more than I can call out sick for him.

Why is it that job these days are not family friendly? Why do we have to trade what is important to some company's bottom line? Why do jobs penalize their employees for trying to do what is right for our families? How did this world get so mixed up?

Not being able to plan outings with family and friends is stressful and is very depressing. I don't even have time to write anymore. Anyone who knows me knows that writing is a huge part of my life as well. Both my husband and I feel like we are spread too thin. The breaking point is looming ahead like a thunderstorm in the distance. The dark clouds are building and moving towards us, and one day soon the deluge will hit hard and we'll have to make a change, or we'll have lost what is most important to us.

Working retail prevents us from taking time off at Christmas and Holidays together with aging parents and family. We know we only have so much more time before they are gone. Our jobs, don't allow time off if you don't have the time on the books, they scrutinize and frown when you take a sick day and question you if you are late.

I've looked for jobs that are more family friendly, but there aren't many out there, none that are hiring anyway.

People don't last long at the job I am working at this time, which makes it difficult to feel secure. Just as you get to know someone, they are gone, either by getting laid off, fired, or just outright quitting. There is at least a year learning curve for the job, before you actually start to get comfortable, then it changes, so in truth, you never feel comfortable. It is very difficult to feel valued when you know you aren't.

Both my husband and I feel like we have traded what is important for trying to work for our retirement. We are thankful for the opportunity to work, but we are not happy, because we are missing being able to spend time with each other, our family and friends.

We keep working because no one will pay our bills, or provide for us if we choose not to work, so we are working and trying to bide our time.

We ask ourselves if we'll ever get a break in life to have the chance to do what is most important to us.

I wonder will we ever have the courage to walk away and live life the way it is meant to be lived?