Desperate

How will you react?

Picture this:
You are in big debt and could possibly lose your house and properties if this debt is not serviced immediately.

On the other hand, you hold an important position that you can manipulate illegally to get enough cash to pay up your debt and live up to your standard.

Remember, help is coming from nowhere, you wont get caught and this is your only source..

“How will you react?”

Kids to feed, husband laid off and the sheriff at the door handing me a notice of eviction.  I handle money everyday, after all I should do well at my job at the bank.  Things piled up, we were drowning, and our noses were above water.

The hardest part was to tell the kids they could no longer participate in pay to play sports.  This really crushed them and they were angry because we didn't have the money.

We tried everything.  It just was not working.  Double and triple bills on utilities, hardly no food to eat.  You know you are in bad shape when you are considering going to the local food bank.  You learn to swallow your pride, eventually.

Couldn't go to family for help, they didn't have anything either.  Parents living on social security and paying their own bills.  How could they take on ours?

I prayed so much I felt like God and The Saints  ignored me.  Tired of the same old prayer, hour after hour, day after day.

I   -  was becoming desperate.

Desperate to keep my home so my children had a roof over their heads.  Desperate to feed them.  It was all about them, not me.

So, I thought long and hard on this decision.  Every day I would take a little bit of money from the bank to catch up, or, just to survive another day.  I figured if I didn't take much, it would not be noticeable.  At least not right away.  I knew I would eventually get caught and would be punished but I was going to risk it.

Daily, I began to take a hundred dollars from the bank.  Sure enough, it didn't show and no one knew.  Really, they would never suspect me.

One day, while working, my boss approached me and wanted to speak privately.  My heart stopped, I couldn't breathe and held my breath for minutes.   Shaking in my shoes I followed him.  He was a nice boss but, I was sure I would be fired and sent to jail.

We sat down, our eyes now level across his desk.  He bit his bottom lip and shook his head and then, began to speak.  My ears, blood pumping and pounding in them made it hard to hear him.

" Liz, money is missing"   I sunk low in my chair and started to sob.  Finally, someone was going to hear me and listen to my misery.

I hunched up my shoulders and tried to speak, but only another sob escaped my lips.

"We have to investigate, as you know"

All I could think of was my children, they would soon visit a mother in Jail.  I could barely comprehend his next words.

"Liz, we all know here that you are having problems with bills.  No one wanted to ask you.  We have come up with an idea that might help you and your family"

 He spoke softly and kindly.   I wiped tears from my cheeks.

"We are not going to press charges, luckily the amount you have taken is not that large, even though you were stealing, I knew you were desperate". 

I blinked tears away and for the first time, looked up at him.  He was genuinely being kind.

" Everyone here has offered to give you 20.00 each week out of their checks until you can catch up on your bills.  I am going to offer you a loan, and once on your feet you can begin to pay me back.  It will be a personal loan between you and I"

I couldn't scream if I had wanted to, there were things making it hard for me to swallow already.

My heart was in my throat, I know that.

Finally, I asked him why everyone was being so kind?

He told me that I had worked there a long time, I was like family and family helps out.

It was funny, but I had never thought of me being part of a family at work.  Now, he made me see things in a different light.

"I am so thankful, so humble, that everyone wants to help us"   I don't know how I will ever be able to pay all of you back!"  Still sobbing I looked up at him behind his huge desk.

Calmly he spoke, a hint of knowing in his voice.

"Liz, you can pay people back with the same kindness.  It doesn't have to be monetary.  It could be offering a smile when someone is low.  Bringing an extra lunch for someone who for what ever their reason, doesn't buy or bring one.  Perhaps, they are in the same predicament as you."

I couldn't believe his words, that was true.  I was so consumed with my own problems I never thought of anyone else.

From that day on, my life changed.  I found out what was important in life and how to treat others.  We struggled, the kids had to understand the new rules about spending money and it took a year, and we were in better shape.  Thanks to a family, I never realized I had.

I guess, the moral of this story is never take things for granted, don't overlook the way other people may be in need.  It could be something simple. 

Trust me, the rewards are better than receiving.

Wysteria


This is not a true story.  Just written as one.  However, we have been down and out like a lot of people these days.  JUST KEEP FIGHTING