Tough times? Keep fighting — and smile

Tough times? Keep fighting — and smile

Matt Thompson

Staff Writer

Remember when you didn’t have to consider money everywhere you went? Remember when you went out, instead of staying home? Remember when you didn’t constantly fear lay-offs, and cut-backs at work? Remember when you had a job?

Of course you do. Remember when you could buy your loved one something special? Remember when you could go on dates without considering how cheap it would’ve been eating at home instead? Remember when you went to the movies? Instead, you rent them now — from a library.

Keep fighting.

The economy is crippling us everywhere, in every aspect of our lives. It’s changed our whole mindset in the past few years. We squeeze every penny. But guess what? Pretty soon, it’ll just be a memory in time.

We need to keep taking classes to better ourselves. Keep taking jobs we aren’t proud of. It’ll turn around. Maybe it’ll take a few years, but there will be an end to this crisis.

You’ll say, remember when I had to take that crummy job? Or, remember when I had to call MARVIN (unemployment) every week? Remember when the Palace stopped selling out?

You’ll remember your time at Washtenaw Community College when you’re off enjoying the profession you came here to prepare for, and you can’t help but smile a little. You’ll remember when you packed a lunch to school because you couldn’t afford a five-dollar foot long, and laugh. You’ll remember moving back to home with your parents, and smile.

Keep fighting.

The ones who give up, drop out, quit their jobs, they aren’t tough like you. You see yourself in the future with that smile on your face. You imagine better things for yourself, because you aren’t giving up.

You’ll remember road trips. You’ll remember feeling the ocean breeze in your face. You’ll remember the night you got promoted and you took your family out. You’ll remember working hard at your job, the one you came here to prepare for. And you’ll smile that well-deserved smile.

Because you kept fighting!

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1 comment to Tough times? Keep fighting — and smile

  • Jeff Pierce

    To Matt Thompson: Being that I am un-employed, and back in school at WCC after a long absence, I have a great appreciation for your article TOUGH TIMES. It was well written, and to the point.
    You look like the same person I was talking to about MARVIN after a class I have on Mondays. Not sure, but I will say your article captured the feeling of the times.
    Sincerely,
    Jeff Pierce

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