Gotta stay optimistic right?

It is easier for me to stay optimistic because I am still working, but then I talk to my youngest who is watching helplessly as his once thriving business collapses. It is hard to comprehend that an entire industry can, within a week, almost completely disappear. He sells fresh-cut flowers and they have two insurmountable problems; one is flowers are a discretionary purchase-you can literary live without and second they are perishable, meaning you can’t wait for the market to improve and sell them later-they are dead. He has been wise with his money but only has enough for one more payroll and then his employees will have to fend for themselves. A month ago he was seriously shopping for a million dollar home. His finances were strong and business was good, so why not? The home owner wouldn’t budge another $50K so the deal never happened, which is probably the luckiest thing to happen to him in his young life so far. He has shown real courage throughout this and remains confident in his long-term success in whatever form it may come. This has given me new appreciation for those without a job and living paycheck to paycheck. I suppose there is some comfort knowing you are not alone and the government is trying to create an aid package of sorts. Applying for an SBA loan will be the new common denominator likely with its own hashtag. Depending on how long this pandemic lasts, it will certainly change the rules for debt repayment, not to mention how credit scores are calculated. If you needed another reminder of the seriousness of the situation, the tax deadline has been delayed until July 15. Last year even with the government shutdown lasting until January 25th, tax day went on as usual.

While the nation waits for Washington to offer a clear path forward and the hope of an economic lifeline all we get is the same finger pointing as usual. Fortunately we have 79 year-old Dr. Anthony Fauci. He is an excellent reminder that age is no barrier to success, and relevance. There is plenty being said about the current state of affairs regarding the handling of the virus; I’m just grateful we have Dr. Fauci to clarify what is happening and dispel misguided information. What he brings is a version of medical “Tough Love” I suppose. Another positive is our state leaders who have shown calm leadership when needed most.

Since the last post we have had more aftershocks, my sister-in-law took an ambulance ride due to vasovagal syncope and a friend and former co-worker was diagnosed with stage-3 lung cancer. I’m thinking if I needed a distraction from turning 65 I have quite a selection. My whining about perceived lack of opportunity seems more petty every day.