Happy to be one of the eight million people who were unemployed during the last Presidential season. Happy because of the take away lessons learned. Time spend with family that could never be replaced. Learning how neighbors do help even In my neighborhood. Appreciation for family who have given time to take me where I needed to go. Learning to replace central air with a large bowl cool water fory feet. Learning to unplug Cable, satellite, and phones. Living withinyeans when I had no means. Eating from the freezer instead of fresh. Realizing I had enough stored for two months. Walking to the store to buy groceries, then realizing I can carry only so much. Trying to figure out how to get to interviews after my car died so, I would have work. Learning who loves when the bank is empty. Faith comes. So many life lessons to learn. Now, I am having an interesting time deciding what to do with my new future. I listening to hear for that next step of faith to take. I might have swapped these experiences for something else but, I'm grateful for what I received. Resilience, endurance, peace in my home, and a reliance on God. I challenge you to go through these things should you be faced with them, and glean like Ruth from the fields you are in. Enjoy your journey. Rita Franklin September 15, 2016