Outstanding! Although I'm a generation older, I also feel the constant sense of being lied to and otherwise "promised" that if we followed the plan laid out for us, we would end up with the pretty little house at the end of the street, 2 cars in the garage, and just enough money left over from our pension check to pay for a week in a San Diego Holiday Inn four blocks off the beach. - once a year. And yet, here's the irony: The majority of those I grew up with followed that plan. And now, in their late sixties and early seventies, they're miserable. They dream of time travel, getting a second chance, going back and doing it over -and this time, getting it right. Then reality kicks in, and regret consumes a little more of their humanity.
Ah, Felicia, once again, you nailed it. I have no wise words and am grateful that I was years ahead in what you are dealing with. (As in I'm that much older!) I hope your friend finds work.
If you’re lucky enough to be single, with nobody else’s life dependent on whether or not you can generate an income to pay for health care, all the while terrified because you can see your skills being absorbed by the huge AI machinery. You know you can’t outrun it; you know the huge insatiable appetite of capitalism will swallow you, your home, your carefully tended retirement accounts whole in a matter of months to pay for oncology visits, chemo and finally burial costs and Medicaid clawbacks. When you’re single, when it’s over, it’s just over. When your not, it’s the continuing nightmare for the surviving spouse, especially knowing your partner didn’t care enough about their health to do anything about it, much less about how it will suck your life whole as well. Makes a great argument for an early exit...
Outstanding! Although I'm a generation older, I also feel the constant sense of being lied to and otherwise "promised" that if we followed the plan laid out for us, we would end up with the pretty little house at the end of the street, 2 cars in the garage, and just enough money left over from our pension check to pay for a week in a San Diego Holiday Inn four blocks off the beach. - once a year. And yet, here's the irony: The majority of those I grew up with followed that plan. And now, in their late sixties and early seventies, they're miserable. They dream of time travel, getting a second chance, going back and doing it over -and this time, getting it right. Then reality kicks in, and regret consumes a little more of their humanity.
Really great read!
I hear you, Roger. We were all duped.💙
Ah, Felicia, once again, you nailed it. I have no wise words and am grateful that I was years ahead in what you are dealing with. (As in I'm that much older!) I hope your friend finds work.
Happened upon your post through notes. This is all so true and thank you for saying it.
PS. I'm a graphic designer and might be able to throw something together for you.
Wow. so good to hear from you again. And also about the content, here, here. Your frustrations are so relatable....!
It’s been bananas lately, but I’m back!!
If you’re lucky enough to be single, with nobody else’s life dependent on whether or not you can generate an income to pay for health care, all the while terrified because you can see your skills being absorbed by the huge AI machinery. You know you can’t outrun it; you know the huge insatiable appetite of capitalism will swallow you, your home, your carefully tended retirement accounts whole in a matter of months to pay for oncology visits, chemo and finally burial costs and Medicaid clawbacks. When you’re single, when it’s over, it’s just over. When your not, it’s the continuing nightmare for the surviving spouse, especially knowing your partner didn’t care enough about their health to do anything about it, much less about how it will suck your life whole as well. Makes a great argument for an early exit...
Amen, friend.