Yesterday, after a morning of blogging, I walked to Pittsburgh’s “Little Italy” and stopped in Nico’s at the corner of Friendship and Pearl for a few beers and some friendly conversation.
Several people were there, two who had just lost their jobs. Martha has worked in an office position at the University of Pittsburgh for many years. She was recently called in and simply released. On top of that her husband is in the hospital in the ICU because of a recent car accident. He was at a stop light when another driver plowed into him from behind. He and Martha have two pre-teen girls.
Then Corday lost his job. He’s been a professional truck driver for years with an unblemished driving record. He was just released. It’s the first time in his adult life that he’s been unemployed. His wife just had a breast removed because of cancer. She’s recoverying after also having reconstructive surgery. They have two very young children.
Martha and Corday are both over fifty years old.
Even with all my problems, the visit to Nico’s reminded me of how fortunate I am.
