Man, that's rough. I was a single mom in the 80s and 90s and I'm telling you I have no idea how someone with school age (or younger) children does it these days.
When I moved out on my own, my first HOUSE ... not apartment, but house, in a decent neighborhood was $170 a month -- 2 bedrooms, all bills paid, fenced in yard, they allowed pets -- I called all the utility companies -- phone and electric, gas -- none of them required a deposit. I could fill up the gas tank in my VWBug and still have money left over for lunch from a $10 and not the 79 cent hotdog and drink from the convenience store. I'm talking about a real lunch.
Honestly, my heart goes out to all you young guys, whether you are single or have families to take care of. This is not an easy environment to get by in, much less try to get ahead. You guys are a bunch of tough nuts, though. I have no doubt that you will all be fine -- and the world will be a better place for you all having been here.
People (including myself) ***** all the time about how worthless the younger generation is. But, I do not see that here when I log onto OSA. What do I see?? I see a bunch of fine, young men who are doing their best to make something of themselves. I see young men who are now dealing with the problems that come from being wounded while defending our right to live in the finest nation in the world. I see a bunch of men who, when someone asks for help here, always manage to come through for a person they've never met, only read posts of on the internet. I see young men who are gracious, kind, giving (and an absolute HOOT to be around!!
) I have had the privilege to have met and now call a few of you guys my friends. I would not have met you guys if it hadn't been for OSA ... So ... (And there are some of us old farts who just like to chew the fat and remember what it was like when we were that age!
)Goodness, I seem to have gotten a little "soft" this morning. Oh, well ... that's fine ... Sometimes it's good to tell the folks you care about that you admire them for what they've done and are trying to do.
