introduction to uncapitolized mom

Even after being married and raising children for twenty years, writing about it is a daunting task. One would think that I am overflowing with opinions and suggestions, but as with most great things in life, so much of it is a blur. My column will not be an advice column, but more of a glimpse into our home. Here in our small town, we are going through many of the things that are only discussed in theory on Capitol hill. My husband is a recently unemployed computer graphics/artist. We are learning our way through the confusion of filing for benefits and getting the assistance that will help us get by. We live on that financial bubble where we are just poor enough to get some help, but not so poor that anyone would know that. We own our little house and took advantage of all the recent struggles in the market to refinance at amazing rates. When the President recently raised the amount of assistance to struggling families, we felt the increase. Our county has a 14.8% unemployment rate, making a job search seem futile, but our home is also a place of traditional faith in the goodness of God, who will look out for us as always.

My life has become an interesting mix of what we would like to be and the reality of who we are. Last week I had to get up from my cappuccino at my friend’s house on the golf course, so that I could make copies of forms to take to Social Services concerning unemployment assistance. Many of the faces there looked just like mine; shy and awkward to be in this place they never thought they would be. So, when given this chance to share a part of my life, I thought it was time to be honest about what is going on out here – outside the Beltway. These are the times that bring people together across all socio-economic lines. We should take advantage of the few upsides to a bad economy. More time at home with our kids, finding free things to do, less showing off and more transparency. Even those who are not feeling the pinch, are very aware that so many are. It’s a great time to embrace family and true friends and share our lives. I hope you will enjoy sharing a little of mine.