One day the news paper announced that the stock market had crashed. It was a long fall from the top as help wanted signs disappeared and high rises began to empty of employees. My father spent a year of unemployment redesigning his life and claiming back his health before finding a new and better position. For the most part we were cushioned by the resilience of the oil and gas industry, but I'd like to believe that some of it was due to good karma as my father was always a gentle person, who's strength was evident in his drive for success without ever being aggressive. We heard stories about how it was bad but according to my memory it seemed not much had changed except for the lingering construction projects. My parents added two dogs to the family and my father's corporate gut began to shrink soon after.
At the same time I finished school and began searching for a "real job" in the "real" world. Competition was fierce and job prospects scarce, not surprisingly. I was lucky to be employed part time where I could easily have more hours. Though my income barely placed me above the poverty line, I did not feel poor by any means. We moved in together that spring and I bought healthy groceries with my expendable income. Our incomes combined allowed us to rent a decent, if not spectacular apartment for a young couple. The support of my family made my transition to independence seamless, or so I thought.
Also to be continued...
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