I was fired from my job last week. Misfortunes are not new to me. About 3 1/2 years ago I was nearly killed in a car accident. I could not keep up my attendance at work, so I was forced to leave. This happened after working hard -- days, nights, and weekends -- and doing damn good work for 23 years. I was unemployed for 2 1/2 years. During that time, I had some personal tragedies, which I won't talk about here. I was very depressed and very scared. When my money runs out, I have no family or significant other to take care of me. In June of this year, I finally found a job, and I was fired in November, ostensibly because I was once two hours late for work due to a documented medical emergency, but, realistically, because the company is losing the contract I worked on. I was so depressed that I was suicidal.

I am not a regular poster here nor a public personality, and most of you probably don't even know who I am. Nevertheless, I'm asking you for some kind words of compassion and encouragement. Please don't let me down.