The man's side of it!

After my first injury in 2003, and I was out of work for two years, I got a taste of retirement. It was a blessing in disguise because I was able to spend so much time with my newly wedded wife Cassie. We crammed a life time it seems into those two years. The only flies in the ointment were the pain, and the inability to work. I love being a union Sheet Metal Worker. The men and women I trained and worked with are second to none. I enjoyed building things; welding, fitting, drafting and measuring, even banging duct together in the shop. I always met interesting people and did interesting and important things.

Now with my back injury, I am looking at getting an epidural steroid and or possible surgery. If that doesn't help with the chronic pain I may have to retire early. That's a big problem. I have worked in the Sheet Metal trade for over thirty years, but after checking my pension credits online the other day I only have eighteen years of actual pension credits accumulated. If I have to retire at age fifty five, in one more year I won't be able to make enough money to do the things Cassie and I wanted to do when we retire.

I have always been a good worker, giving the people I work for one hundred per cent. I have always done my own auto repairs or home repairs. I can't do those things any longer and it cause me to fall into depression. I'm the guy who is always up! I have always tried to have a smile for people, in good times and bad. It's not so easy any longer. I still try but mostly the smile is just on the outside, inside I'm a mess.

I am a man of faith. Born again and trusting in God's grace to get me through these times. God has always supplied my need, and even sometimes the desires of my heart. He brought Cassie into my life after my first wife Audrey passed on. He supplied all my needs when I was hurt the first time and I know he will see me through this time. Even though God has proved HImself to me over and over I still worry.

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I'll always love you no matter what and I know this is so hard for you