I immediately contacted my bank which explained they had assessed a levy fee against my account and instructed me to contact the agency that served the order.
I walked away from the ATM machine in a daze but I remember thinking two things as I walked down the block on the breezy, but warm evening, towards the nearest subway on 42nd street: 1) to keep breathing...and don't get hit by a damn car! 2) and get home to safety, to a place of calm, a place where I could regroup and think rationally.
As
I sat on the train home I wondered ‘What if they
come after my wages?!’ ‘Am I going to make it?’ Suddenly I felt a dull pain creep upward from
base of my head and spreading its fingers, grabbed the back of my head like a
basketball player would palm a spalding!
I
closed my eyes and began to breathe deeply and evenly while massaging my neck. As I breathed , healthier thoughts came up: ‘Ok
what DO I have right NOW; ‘What IS possible?’ ‘What am I GRATEFUL for NOW?’ Well:
I am grateful
to still be breathing, there are a few people in my life who love me, I am on
my way to a safe (and nice place) I call home, I am surrounded by folks on this
train who could be a source of help in case I actually do fall out! I AM important and a productive human being
who still has innovative ideas and work to contribute....I do believe in the
power of God....’
By
the time I got home I had a plan of action - I reached out to my accountant who
was very helpful and I reached out to a few friends. Ok I just need to interject something
here: some of y/our friends or folks (we)
thought would be sympathetic or understanding, turn out to be the complete
opposite - impatient, suspicious, judgemental, even to the point of questioning
(the effect of) y/our faith. I used to get very incensed at this but now I
realize it’s unproductive and that my job is to understand my
own situation and role and responsibility in the matter. Furthermore I realize the value of my
friendship could have diminished. I
still have to
give MYSELF a chance, remain focused and move forward.
Anyway,
the next morning, I called the agency that served the garnishment order and
within minutes I setup payment arrangements.
And
I had one of the most memorable and fabulous birthdays ever.
Thank
you for reading.
~ Quelyn, Author of
Validation Denied Grace Bestowed:somewhere
between the ghetto and God was something called foster care...
Validation Denied Grace
Bestowed is available at
iUniverse.com,
(812)330-2909 or (800) 288-4677
….and bookstores
everywhere!
Copyright©2012 Quelyn Purdie
