The economy kicked the crap out of many industries, businesses and people over the last three years or so.  The doors of many companies closed for good, other companies were sold for pennies on the dollar, and a few lucky businesses stayed above water.  I work for an automaker, and every one of us has been living scared for probably five years now.  Thankfully, I was able to weather the storm and am still employed by the domestic automaker that is leading the way toward a tighter, leaner, and profitable future in the industry.

My wife’s optometry practice seemed to survive the downturn as well, and for her, this is especially impressive considering she lost a significant insurance provider for several months just before the economy went in the tank.  Now, however, she’s dealing with a mountain of debt incurred during lean months over the past year or so that allowed her to not only keep her doors open, but keep her staff employed.  This fact, however, is lost on some people.

From late September through early November I was off work taking care of my wife, who was recovering from surgery related to a melanoma diagnosis over the summer.  I am thankful for the Family Medical Leave Act to be able to provide this time for my wife and kids, but it is an unpaid leave.  Also, as the owner of the company, my wife takes the hit when things get tight, and she’s only received one paycheck since September.  We’ve tapped the 401(k), the savings, even the kids’ college funds.  It’s nothing we’re proud of, and the belt-tightening has been painful, but it’s what we’ve had to do to continue on without her salary.

Nobody else has felt the pain in a manner that would directly affect them.  And while she regrets some decisions and has compromised a relationship or two to keep watch of her people’s backs, her actions have not affected anybody with respect to their day-to-day operation and expectations.

Ultimately, I’m worried about her.  This is keeping her from enjoying the holidays as much as she should be.  I’ve offered my help in any way possible but I know it’s hard for her to pass things on to me, because to her it’s an admission of failure, which it is not.  Still, people call every day.  The office is empty more often than it should be, which is not unusual this time of year, but this is the year where income is needed.  I wish two things – first, that those who are so adamant in their desire to know exactly what “happened” would let her enjoy her Christmas, and secondly, that I knew what to tell them and her that would please everyone.

Sadly, neither of those seem to be happening.