Not the Only One

My dad has been out of work since October.
I haven't told ANYONE until last night.
The reaction I got when I shared my personal information was not what I expected or particularly liked.

I didn't tell anyone about my dad being out of work because I didn't want the pity. I don't like being pity because it makes me feel inferior.

So when I tell about my family's situation, I get the response (not spoken) "you probably just want pity, but I am not going to give any emotion to you."

I say family situation, because it is exactly that, a family issue. It's not a roommate issue, nor a work issue.  So I keep it within my family, but the response I got when I made it somewhat of a roommate issue upset me.

I know that people have their own issues, BELIEVE ME! I know!

I didn't expect my roommates to go about talking about my issues without me knowing. I didn't expect some of my roommates to give me a blank stare as if to say, well what do you want me to say?, when I told them. I didn't expect to have one roommate bite back at me that she had that same problem in her family.

Unemployment is becoming more and more prevalent.  It is not a shock anymore to see many people, friends and family deal with that problem.

Although I don't expect pity.  I don't want pity.  But there is a difference between pity and compassion. I didn't feel as if anyone showed compassion to me when I told them.

But I shouldn't expect it. I also shouldn't expect to be the only one with the problem.

I was at work and I was listening to my IPOD on shuffle. I came across this song.

To the roommate who I having the same problem as me and my family.  I'm not the only one. I know you are going through hardships too.  Please know that I know what you are going through.  This life is but a moment in the eyes of eternity.

I am a firm believer in "everything happens for a reason".  I know that there is some reason why my family has had to go through this trial multiple times.  And every time a possible job source comes back to my dad saying no thank you, I just have to remember to have faith. Everything will be ok. I am not the only one.