It's been quite a week, eh? I felt a great deal of relief at the passing of the health bill. Yes, I'm aware it is controversial. For me, it was quite personal. I frankly tried to stay out of the flame wars on the topic, because it was so personal for me. It is my only hope of getting health insurance again. Blue Cross simply priced me out of the market entirely and, as a woman in her 50's with several pre-existing conditions, the odds of me ever getting insurance again without some type of legislation that would not allow private insurance to make me a pariah, well, the odds were slim to none, generously speaking. I know we are all not in agreement on this, and I respect that, so I only bring it up as background as one of the two reasons my mood tonight is, well, a mix of jubilation and overwhelming relief. For the second reason, see below:
I've been out of work longer than I can even keep track of at this point. I passed discouraged a long time ago. Terror has been more like it of late. I have had some independent contract jobs here and there, legal research and writing, which sporadically brought in some cash, but not enough to live on. My meager savings left after years of insurance premiums and insane co-pays has evaporated.
The contract work has allowed me to barely keep a roof over my head, but even that looked like it was about to end in the next month. I've been not only doing without my medications, I've been not eating either. One good friend stopped by a few weeks ago with a bag of groceries that I've eked out, but that is now gone and I'm getting frighteningly thin, to be honest. The same good friend has been "leasing" my horse, paying all of his upkeep and her daughter rides him, so I don't have to sell my beloved "lil boy." Over the last 25 years, we've always been there for each other, but this time, she's just about achieved guardian angel status in my heart. I have no idea how I'll ever repay her.
I've applied for countless jobs, posted resumes, called friends, you name it. Each interview has ended up quite similarly. There's not a huge demand for an older woman with health issues in a hard economy. Oh, they all were "impressed" with my education, qualifications, work history and skills, but.... They each couched it gently, but firmly. It got to the point, if one more told me how "impressive" I was, I was afraid I'd scream.
Yes, I tried everything, every place, every opening I thought I could remotely handle. I mean, seriously, the local DA's office just laid off two of their attorneys with over 15 years of experience. Firms everywhere are cutting back. This is no time to be picky about what you apply for if you are really in need of a job.
The secretarial jobs and such I applied for acted almost indignant. They couldn't comprehend why someone with my education and background would apply there; after all, they "just knew" I wouldn't stay. Overqualified can be a curse, it seems. They seemed offended that I wasted their time with an interview, although they'd seen my resume before scheduling an interview. I began to toy with the idea of leaving some of my academic and work history off my background, but that felt like deceit.
I even lost a friend of several years over this. When I contacted one firm about either a part time clerk position or contract work, she felt I was trying to take business away from her (competing) firm and broke all contact with me. My only defense was "I was hungry."
Among the many places I contacted was the law school that I graduated from. It's been a while, and they had no obligation to help me, but I thought it was worth a try to call their job placement assistance department. That was months ago. Until yesterday afternoon, nothing but crickets from them.
At 4:30 yesterday, the law school called. A firm had contacted them looking for someone with a background in several distinct varied areas of the law. Oddly enough, in my 25 years of work experience, I had worked in each of those areas. I was asked if my phone number could be given to them. I breathlessly blurted out "yes, please!" About ten minutes later, my phone rang again and I found myself in a telephone interview. At the end, I was asked if I could come in this morning to meet the partners and have a full interview.
I was there, 15 minutes early, in my pinstripe suit and resume in hand, anticipating a real grilling. The senior partner was very pleasant and seemed very honest about the position and expectations. The partners each specialize in a different area of the law, all are very experienced, and it is a long established and prestigious firm. The interview seemed to go okay. They focused a lot on how busy the position is, a bit stressful, wanted to know a lot about my past experience in supervising staff, etc. Of course, they asked if I'd be willing to stay at least a while in this position. I said yes without hesitation. At the end, it was the usual, "we'll call you."
I left thinking, despite how it felt it went well, what did I miss? I've heard "we'll call you" so many times and, if and when they call, it's always the same thing. "You have an impressive background, but...." On the drive home, it seemed like deja vu.
At 5:31 p.m., things took an interesting twist that has been a stunner to me. They called. My stomach tied in a knot as I answered, just knowing the kiss off was about to be lowered. The next words took my breath away. "Can you start on Friday?"
Yeah, it's been one heck of a week for me. Frankly, it really hasn't even fully sunk in yet. I go between laughter and tears, relief, and wondering if I dreamed it. Quite a week indeed.