Have you ever gotten one of those phone calls that caught you off guard, that took your breath away for a second. You feel like your head is spinning, or like your under water and you haven't surfaced for air yet?
Well, I have.
Monday, June 16, 2008.
Not a day I would really like to relive, but in retrospect, a day that was eye opening and a day that really made us put our trust in the Lord.
You see, Mr. Shook had returned to work after a week long vacation where we did all kinds of fun things in Ohio and threw my parents a 40th wedding anniversary party. It was fun and made all kinds of great memories. Never in our wildest dreams did we think that our world would be turned upside down by 3 pm. His employer starting informing people that effective immediately that they were laid off.
Done.
A big don't let the door hit you on the way out feeling.
Oh, and by the way, your benefits end today, too.
Even better.
Mike gave me the call as I had just dropped Cameron and Molly off for Vacation Bible School at a friend's church. I was in the car. I had to pull over.
I am comfortable feeling that you know how things turned out. It was a bit of a stressful summer but it also was a great summer where we spent lots of time together as a family. Mr. Shook received a severance package so we weren't destitute. We just had to make a lot of decisions and I don't know that we really second guess any of them.
There really isn't one person or company to blame for what happened. It was a very rough time for the auto industry. Mr. Shook's company filed for bankruptcy and things started to go sour quickly. They probably weren't getting paid for the parts that they were supplying the Big 3 and therefore the little man suffers.
So, if you read my blog yesterday and then have read what I wrote today you will not be surprised to know that I support jobs. And maybe that's what this indoor water park will provide that is really the end result we all should be caring about. From the planning, the building, the running and maintaining, all this will bring jobs. It will create more jobs to keep the traffic in order, it will create more jobs to keep the community still safe, it will create more jobs to support the other new business that will be a direct result of an indoor water park.
And creating more jobs cannot be considered a bad thing. Especially when our country is suffering economically. Maybe we should be very glad that a company like Bass Pro Shops picked central Illinois to open a new store. And maybe we should be glad for the ripple effect that this new mega business will create. Remember to all my Mom friends...the word Target in East Peoria has been thrown around. I've seen many of you salivate, me included! And that means more JOBS!!!
I don't know how I feel about the prospect of this water park. One friend doesn't think that it will ever happen so we don't need to worry about it. Just some food for thought.
And, I am very happy where I am today, 3 years later. I don't wish that kind of phone call on anyone, but thanks for always being a very hard worker, Mr. Shook, and providing for your family. As Father's Day approaches I hope you know how much we appreciate you. And how much we Love You!!
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