I try to be a role model in as many ways as possible, however the reality of the economic crisis has hit my family. My mother, an employee of Henniges Automotive (General Tire, GenCorp, GDX Automotive) for the last 32 years, and my dad, an employee of John Deere for nearly 29 years have now both encountered layoffs in the form of plant closures.

Without these jobs and without any significant job opportunities available to myself it is clear that we will lose our home. The timeline of that failure is flexible albeit inevitable. Being so far away from retirement age and with significant debt related to the string of misfortunes in this decade and the last. Automobiles that died, major foundation problems on our 'fixer-upper' house, and the payments on an American timeshare that skyrocketed in the nineties. All of these debts complicate out ability to retain our assets and our home.

Having one head of household lose their job is bad, but losing another is absolutely devastating. I cannot follow the road of so many others that try to get away from their families, my family old and young need my assistance. This may come in the form of familial transfer payments or hard work and perseverance, either way this is going to suck.

I have started generating electricity, it is far from supplementing our entire household needs. Environmental education and off-grid living strategies offer some hope, but taxes and utilities cost money and are not optional.

Completion of my degree has been a focus and may or may not be complete by the end of this year. Although, as I cannot afford any more courses if it is not done now it will have to be abandoned indefinitely.

My loan repayment for the courses I have taken begins February, and if job opportunities near AND far dry up I may be left in an even greater fail scenario.

I'm not looking for a personal bailout, or welfare, or "assistance". I am looking for work. The kind of work that produces a commodity or food for anybody. Getting down to what people need - warm shelter and nutritious meals. Not fast food for people that get their heat shut off. We all need to start looking at what is important. I have the foresight to see what is ahead, and while knowing it is unavoidable I will harden myself to fight the good fight when I get there.

Remember this story when you and your family enjoy in their decadence this Christmas that the threat is real and even if it doesn't hurt you it may hurt someone that you know. Think positive, think local, build character and stamina.

EOL