One Year On (Wizbang)

One year ago this week I was handed the Christmas present every working person fears - a pink slip. I had successfully remained employed, in a non-core business, through several rounds of massive downsizing. A customer slow to to re-up on a contract renewal meant that when the quarterly belt tightening came around I was unbooked into the next quarter. That was enough to make me expendable in a mandatory headcount reduction.***

With a wife and two kids (and a third on the way at the time) things couldn't have looked worse. We were fortunate to have some savings, and I got a pretty basic severance package (though I had only been at the company for 2 years), so we were in no danger of immediate poverty. Of course counterbalancing that was the fact that we live in the hyper-expensive suburbs of Northern Virginia and have a mortgage that would make most people gag.

I wrote at the time that I was going to test the economic recovery first-hand. It took several months, but I landed on my feet in a better situation for me personally, financially, and professionally. In that sense it was a necessity is the mother of invention kind of moment for me.

All of that is background to the real story or kindness I experienced. I noted here at Wizbang that I'd gotten the worst news possible at the worst time of the year. To my amazement bloggers and readers started giving and didn't stop until $900 was sitting in my PayPal account. While this floored me, it absolutely shocked my wife.

The money generously given to me and my family has never been forgotten, since it was the money that provided Christmas in our household - seriously. Immediately after the layoff we sat down and worked the numbers to see how long we could go with no income. In our planning we both quickly agreed that as much as we might not like it, Christmas gifts were going to have to be part of the sacrifice.

That outpouring of support allowed us to stick to our budget but still buy gifts for the kids and each other. For that I am eternally grateful to the blogosphere. Rather than send money to each individual who sent money to us last year, I'm going to take $1,000 and donate it to a Northern Virginia charity that will provide a Christmas to a family in need, in the name of those who supported me last year. Call it "paying it forward." or whatever else you'd like call it; just remember that you all started it here last year.

I'll announce the name of the charity in the coming weeks - must do some research - and add any PayPal or Amazon donations received this month to my total donation.

It's my way of saying thank you, again, from the bottom of my heart.

*** Several months later my former company called to see if I was available to do the oft-delay project. Needless to say I wasn't...

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Comments (19)

Well, as a telcom worker, s... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by Glenn | December 8, 2004 1:19 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Glenn:

Well, as a telcom worker, still dodging the layoff monster, .......having lived in Northenr Virgina for 3 years before I moved out west. .......

I feel for anyone in that situation.... you get a my donation...

Glenn in Olympia Wa.

Posted on December 8, 2004 01:19

Wonderful story, Kevin. I ... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by -S- | December 8, 2004 2:45 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

-S-:

Wonderful story, Kevin. I was thinking about this and I do believe that the nicest Christmas present, gift, I've ever received was a visit by a group of singing teenagers from my local Parish, visiting me with a Christams Carols on Christmas Eve. It just was a wonderful gift to receive.

Posted on December 8, 2004 02:45

What a wonderful idea, Kevi... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by Margi | December 8, 2004 3:48 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Margi:

What a wonderful idea, Kevin.

I'm also very glad to see that things are right in Whizbang land THIS Christmas.

Merpy Chriskwanzukkah to you and your lovely family!

xoxo

Posted on December 8, 2004 03:48

You must attract a higher q... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by sortapundit | December 8, 2004 4:54 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

sortapundit:

You must attract a higher quality reader than me, Kev. I lost my job a month ago and got nothin'. A lot of people will be getting cards in place of presents this year. So how to attract more affluent readers?

Egg and silver spoon race?

Caviar cookoff?

Or just some good old fashioned nudity?

Incidentally, the week you lost your job was the week I started reading Wizbang, so this is kinda like my blogiversary here. Any excuse to drink before noon :)

Posted on December 8, 2004 04:54

They say that giving is be... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by Steel Turman | December 8, 2004 5:01 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Steel Turman:

They say that giving is better than receiving.

They are wrong.

Being the recipient of a gift of love will change your
life.

And to be able to reciprocate is the greatest gift
of all.

Merry Christmas Kevin.

Posted on December 8, 2004 05:01

What a heartwarming story K... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by Debra | December 8, 2004 7:42 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Debra:

What a heartwarming story Kevin. Thank you.
I didn't start reading Wizbang until around Septemeber of this year so I was not aware of your history until today. Your generosity plays as an example for all to follow.
Happy Holidays to you and your family Kevin and thank you again for giving us all a WIZ of a time.

Posted on December 8, 2004 07:42

Very cool, Kevin!... (Below threshold)

7. Posted by Bucky Katt | December 8, 2004 7:46 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Bucky Katt:

Very cool, Kevin!

Posted on December 8, 2004 07:46

well now that's just rude!!... (Below threshold)

8. Posted by Debra | December 8, 2004 8:07 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

well now that's just rude!! I encountered "surf control" while trying to donate thru paypal. Anyone know how I can get around that???
~sheesh~

Posted on December 8, 2004 08:07

Don't mean to get all weepy... (Below threshold)

9. Posted by Jim Hines | December 8, 2004 8:56 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Jim Hines:

Don't mean to get all weepy on you ...but that was a freaking up lifting post.

Merry Christmas all...

Yes I said Christmas.

: )

Posted on December 8, 2004 08:56

very good of you. Thanks.<... (Below threshold)

10. Posted by pylorns | December 8, 2004 9:15 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

pylorns:

very good of you. Thanks.

Posted on December 8, 2004 09:15

Great story. Are you still... (Below threshold)

11. Posted by SteveL | December 8, 2004 9:52 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

SteveL:

Great story. Are you still in No. Va? I thought you were in NH now?

Posted on December 8, 2004 09:52

Cool idea.And I'm ... (Below threshold)

12. Posted by Harvey | December 8, 2004 11:20 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Harvey:

Cool idea.

And I'm glad things are looking up for you.

Posted on December 8, 2004 11:20

Dude, I feel all warm and f... (Below threshold)

13. Posted by Oyster | December 8, 2004 11:22 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Oyster:

Dude, I feel all warm and fuzzy right now. Thanx.

Posted on December 8, 2004 11:22

If you're looking for a cha... (Below threshold)

14. Posted by JM Galvin | December 8, 2004 3:41 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

JM Galvin:

If you're looking for a charity that helps provide Christmas presents, you might consider the Toys for Tots program. It's affiliated with the Marine Corps.

Posted on December 8, 2004 15:41

Another charity you might b... (Below threshold)

15. Posted by Michelle | December 8, 2004 6:26 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Michelle:

Another charity you might be interested in is Angel Tree, which provides Christmas for children who have a parent in prison.

Posted on December 8, 2004 18:26

Gosh. What a wonderful stor... (Below threshold)

16. Posted by LB | December 8, 2004 7:07 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

LB:

Gosh. What a wonderful story.

Posted on December 8, 2004 19:07

Wow man. Maybe human being ... (Below threshold)

17. Posted by TEM | December 8, 2004 9:37 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

TEM:

Wow man. Maybe human being are not so bad after all.

Posted on December 8, 2004 21:37

AmenI think it is ... (Below threshold)

18. Posted by Henry | December 9, 2004 4:49 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Henry:

Amen

I think it is not a gift to receive, but a test. If you are humble enough to accept the gift when you are in need, then it parallels with being humble enough to let christ into your life.

Foolish pride can ruin the ones we love a lot worse than any humility.

I also agree that to be able to reciprocate in kind, by helping someone else out, is the greatest gift ever given.

May God bless us all.

Posted on December 9, 2004 04:49

Aw, you're making me cry ov... (Below threshold)

19. Posted by Jeff Brokaw | December 10, 2004 3:27 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Jeff Brokaw:

Aw, you're making me cry over here Kevin! What a great story. God's Blessings to you and your family, and Merry Christmas.

I'm hoping I'll have a similar story to tell next year at this time, after MY job disappears, which it will sometime between now and then.

Posted on December 10, 2004 15:27

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