Surviving Loss, Economic Downturns and Financial Hardships

I haven't written out loud where others can listen, for a while.  So there is a lot to share.  When I was writing a weekly column in the Cleveland Call & Post I'd share what was happening to me spiritually and religiously and my articles appeared on the Religion Page.  I wrote the column for five or six years, maybe longer.  Some important people in the city responded to my articles and were encouraged by them-- most notably Fannie Lewis, a councilwoman who has since passed.  She said, "You are a light in the city." 

People who have impacted my life are passing away.  People like John Bustamante who first invited me to write for his newspaper and most recently Virgil Brown, who I worked under some years back when he was a County Commissioner.  The most important person in my life that passed away was my husband, John Lenear, more completely, John H. Lenear.  His middle name was Henry.  John Henry. He was an important man in the city of Cleveland, and a Christian prophet once said that God had made him a "Gate Keeper of the City," and she saw him by the Spirit as one like an Old Testament Prophet.  He was my rock.

Before he died some of his last actions were to try and make certain I was taken care of.  He called people and shared his concerns, I'm sure, but it wasn't those people who took care of me.  Actually, it was my Heavenly Father.  I grieved for almost a year, not doing much of anything, when an old friend of John's and mine, said that I couldn't keep spending money with nothing coming in.  John had owned two houses (the new one and the old one) and we had two house notes, vacation club fees, and credit card debt, etc.  I was still living at a level I was accustomed to when he was alive.  He left me a good amount of money, but I needed to plan for the future.  So I was able to turn a part-time independent contractor position at a surburban school district into a full time job with benefits.  The job paid well, so after buying a new car, I invested the remaining money that John left me in retirement annuities.

I was fortunate to continue working from home for the first two years of my new position, basicially doing the same things I did as an independent contractor with a few more responsibilities added.  However, after three years in the position the new director brought me into her office, limited my independence, cut programs that I had created, reduced my salary and eventually eliminated my position altogether.  I felt sad that my ten years with this surburban school district had come to an end, and the relationships with the dedicated community of volunteers and wonderful teachers who oversaw the programs would not continue.  Again I had to grieve a loss.  But more importantly, I had to again adjust my living expenses to reflect my new financial situation.  Fortunately, I qualified for unemployment benefits.  So I had something I could live on while looking for a job.  My annuties wouldn't be available to me (without penalty) until I reached retirement age.

My new financial situation dictates that I adjust to living at what mostly looks like the poverty level.  I could no longer pay a house note.  Fortunately, again, I was old enough to apply for a Reverse Mortgage and even though the value of my home had fallen and also the equity, I was able to scrape enough money together to get the RM but with no monthly payment (income) to me.  The house was only half paid for.  But the RM allows me to stay in my home without a house note.  I still own the home.  I can sell it and pay off the RM loan if the economy improves, or my heirs can buy it back after my death or sell it if a profit is to be made or simply let Metropolitan Life own it if the loan is higher than the value of the house.  So, for me, this is a win-win situation.  It is much better than continuing to pay a mortgage for a house falling in value and loosing equity.

I also needed to address my health insurance needs.  I was paying for COBRA out of my savings account, but after three months and no new job I realized I needed to find something else.  I learned about the Metro Hospital Community Health Centers in Cleveland from AARP.  So I discontinued paying COBRA and signed up for Community Health Care.  I was given an appointment with a primary care physician, whom I really like, and have an appointment scheduled for a Rheumatologist in the new year.  My co-pay is $5 and I believe that is also the cost of my prescriptions.  I plan to compare my prescription needs with the the $4 generics available at local stores and pharmacies.  I am also becoming a coupon clipping, sale finding expert in purchasing groceries and household supplies which saves a few more dollars. 

To save even more money, I don't buy new clothes, I do my own hair, manicures and pedicures and even groom my Cock-a-Poo (little dog) myself.  I have also repair my couch myself to make it last longer and generally take care of everything I have.  God has given me a wonderful, Christian neighbor who takes care of my lawn and I live in a great community that has a variety of programs for Senior Citizens, which I now am.

Additionally, my son has come home and has a new job.  So for a little while, he is living with me, helping me with home repairs, grocery bills, etc.  So even though the grief, adjustment to loss, economic downturns and financial hardships are challenging, God is orchestrating everything and guiding me though it all. 

So I count my blessings!  And I thank God every day for all that He does for me.

Next blog I will share what I am doing to make my life more fun!