I Draw Comics

Monday, June 16, 2008

I lost my job this week.

My job as a reporter and editorial cartoonist has come to a surprising end after nearly three years. I was informed that due to the economy (real estate and auto sellers, who are the biggest advertisers for papers, happen to be among the most hurting industries with oil prices and the housing market), the paper simply can’t afford to pay me anymore. I am still in a state of shock.

I don’t write about my job much because I try to keep my work and my artistic lives separate. However, you could likely tell by the lack of timely updates from time to time when I was busy and just how important the job was to me. Those who have been reading the blog for a long time know how excited I was when I got the job. I’ve always wanted to be a writer and got my shot at this newspaper. Since arriving, the job has seemed like one long crash course in just about everything. When you work at a small paper, you have to master several beats - some I was able to devote more time to than others. I compare to a continuous crash course where I was forever learning new things and meeting new people. Along the way, I’ve managed to write a few stories which touched or helped a few people.

I’m thankful for all the people who helped me learn the ropes and all who allowed and trusted me to share their stories. It’s been an incredible honor.

This is only the second job I’ve been laid off from. The first was a jewelry store when I was 17. I’d had the job only a couple of weeks and they had to let me go because they needed someone with more experience to help fix jewelry and watches. They hired me hoping I could learn, but in reality, the shop owner didn’t have enough time to get me up to speed quickly enough. I felt bad, like I’d let them down and took that job loss hard.

This one blew me away.

I was told that my layoff has nothing to do with job performance.
Considering that I was the last reporter left, and had a good relationship with my editor, I believe it. It would be a lot easier, if I got fired for some other reason. At least then I could be mad at myself or mad at my boss. In this situation, I have nobody to be angry at, other than circumstances. And being angry at circumstances will not change them.

All I feel is sadness - sad that I won’t be part of whatever changes are in store for the paper as it will surely go on one way or another. And sad for my financial situation, for obvious reasons. So, it was with heavy heart that I went home to tell my wife that I was laid off.

Her reaction, when presented with this new uncertain reality, was about what can be expected. What do we do now? Things were different before we had a baby and all the associated costs. So, what do we do? I don’t know. We just do whatever we have to do. I’ve faced worse in my life. I just thought such bad times were behind me, not ahead.

I looked at my son, thinking of the sacrifices my own father made for our family as we were growing up. I put on a false happy face, though, as I didn’t want my son to sense anything was wrong. He’s only one year old, too young to understand what’s going on. My smile seemed to work, as he ran around the living room with a huge goofy smile. Suddenly, he started an impromptu game of “tag,” ran up to his mom, tagged her and ran away, laughing. Then he did the same to me. Each time he got just a bit past us, we scooped him up, hugged and tickled him. I defy any of you to stay upset after hearing the sound of a toddler’s laugh!

Suddenly, my smile was sincere.

Labels: job loss, writing life

posted by Blogger Dad at 2:05 AM -

2 Comments:

At 5:23 AM, tpiro said…

Man, I'm really sorry to hear about this. I hope everything works out for you and your family.

And I can totally relate to your story about your son. I've had bad days (but nothing like what you went through) and my 1.5 year old is always the highlight of my life.
At 7:01 PM, Kevin Wilson said…

When one door closes, another will open. It may take time, but it will happen.

Use this time to enjoy more of your family and home life before getting back into the rat race.

Good luck.