I had the greatest job I've ever had. Got to work from home full-time, managed an amazing team of techs and engineers. Was making decent money, but most of all I really felt like I was making a difference in the company. Building something with my own hands. I was sure I'd spend at least the next 10 years with the company.

Six months ago I hired one of my good friends who had a long streak of bad luck when it came to jobs. Trained him up from scratch myself and taught him the ropes and he reciprocated by knocking it out of the fucking park. Became one of the highest producers at his level and was well on his way to moving up. He was so proud and happy.

Unfortunately the one department I wasn't involved in, sales, was not doing well. Numbers started to tank. Debt collectors started calling. Owner of the company said I needed to lay my friend off as he was the newest employee and bottom of the totem pole.

I couldn't do it. I negotiated and ultimately convinced the owner that the best course of action for myself and the company was to lay me off instead, and he agreed. That was two months ago. My friend still has his job and from what I hear, the position that was made open by my departure is successfully being filled by a merger with a similar company with a strong sales team that should get them headed in the right direction.

I am, however, for the first time in 16 years... unemployed... and running out of money.