For the New Year, my husband and I have one resolution to keep; to maintain hope.
2016 has been one of the most horrendous years that either of us has ever experienced.
With not being able to get decent health insurance through an employer, we were forced into "Obamacare". Necessary prescriptions for our diabetes care were kept out of reach due to high, high prices healthcare refused to cover. Even the pharmaceutical companies gave us difficulty in getting a cheaper price on prescriptions; or said "NO!" because Obamacare should cover it all, but it didn't.
Tax time, we were slammed with outrageous fines for not staying within the poverty level. Even though we made monthly payments; we were told "Not Enough, we want more!!!" We were punished for getting healthcare through the government, when we should have had private insurance from the beginning. Can't pay...too bad, now we'll take the money anyway!
We both had to dip into our existing IRAs to make ends meet; thereby being fined even more. By the time either of us finally reaches an age we can get into the IRAs without being fined; we might be dead by then. The age requirement keeps getting raised higher and higher; as we walk forward, the long hallway gets longer and longer.
It simply was, no matter how we attempted to get out of a hole, we were punished for even trying.
Finding full time employment has been one rejection after another; primarily due to the main facts of #1 - not being born and raised in the area; #2 - not following the "correct" religion; #3 - not being descendants of a particular group. It is a well known fact that this occurs again and again to others as well; it is a sick cycle that needs to be completely repaired. We still have hope for changes in where we live; we still have hope that finally someone will stand up and say "Enough is enough; we welcome everyone completely, and not with restrictions to life here!"
There are a few people who care for us just because. They don't care about those three reasons above; they care because we are good, kind, caring, loving people. It's so wonderful to know that some do have their eyes, ears, hearts open to us.
While we have been struggling hard not to file for bankruptcy; unless there are serious financial changes for us in 2017; there will finally be no choice.
I am 58 years old now; I have worked since I was 16 years old; 42 years and within one year, I have lost almost all my savings. Roy is 44 years old, he has worked since 16 years old also; 28 years of employment and wondering where has it all gone. Retirement? Not for me, not anytime soon at all; perhaps never at the rate we're going.
Many will read this and say, "We're in the same boat; we understand and feel your pain." Others will say, "We wish we could help you, but not right now". Many others will say, "We have ours, you can't get yours; we certainly wouldn't help you for any reason." It is what it is.
So, Happy New Year from the Cokenours. May the coming of a new President bring prosperity back to all the American people, not the chosen few. May Karma punish those who revel in the pain and suffering happening to others. May Karma punish those who have caused the pain and suffering. May Karma bless those who have helped us, whether we know them, or they were anonymous; they cared and that was all that mattered...the caring.
Roy and I will rise up again; it may take some time and doing, but we will prevail!!! Currently I'm filled with despair and anger tied together like the double helix of DNA. I would love to see that change to happiness and relaxation.
Mary Cokenour
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