Sometimes just when you are at your lowest, that's when you realize that you are not alone in this sometimes friendless world.

I had a few weeks recently that had me questioning whether or not America works anymore.  Not only do Americans work anymore, but does the system work anymore, or does it simply fail those it cannot see.

The system itself has not always been there for people who fall on hard times.  A holocaust of nameless and sometimes seemingly faceless people scatter every American city, living on whatever they can persuade out of the people on sidewalks, gas stations, and bus stops, who seem to have more brakes in life.  But there is also an epidemic of those who were middle class, were stable, and were living a somewhat normal existence up until September of 2008.  Up until the bottom dropped out.

Those of us who have lost our jobs through no fault of our own have struggled to place meaning, and reason, and purpose to why this has happened.  Words fail us.  Just like everything else, there are no reasons why this had to happen to us.  And just like the jobs that we see in the ads, and before we can scarcely pick up a phone and call--are filled, the programs and support systems this government has put in place since that fall of 2008 have run their course, and then been extended, and extended, and then recently dried up to their ends.

Many of us lost our unemployment, or had it but lost our insurance, or were denied benefits through some unkind act of fate.  Others were already on the street, and now only see lines get longer than they already were.  Many of us were already in the local unemployment line, and now only see and feel the apex of that condition--hour after hour, see all the seats filled, and all the computers taken. All of the jobs flooded with worthy applicants.

Then we have had to turn to methods and strategies that are not natural to us.  We have had to actually think about drastic measures and schemes and begging--to pay the bare minimum of the normally insurmountable amounts of bills, now augmented.  We have had to put our dignity aside and ask for help.  Us, grown, able, dignified, hard working people.  We have become the man at the gas station; at the bus stop; at the park bench.  

In the last three weeks, I have been saved by others three times.  My unemployment and its extensions had run its last course.  I received my last UI check; one for 19 dollars.

My trash service had been cut off; apparently in the run-up to Christmas, we had neglected to pay a bill; we pay every 3 months.  It only now showed up in the way of having 5 full cans of trash spoil and sit and be pulled apart for two weeks straight.  That was our notice.

And two days that normally would be cause for celebration; My oldest son's 10th birthday, and my baby son's 9th month on this earth.  No way to have a party; no money for gifts or a cake.  

You might think in this situation, everything keeps piling on and you just break.  Well, no.  It just gets worse and worse, and you are still there watching like a bystander, while trying everything possible not to be.  Imagine the ground becoming quicksand, and you fight and fight, and just find yourself farther from helping yourself.

Thats when miracles, or just maybe kindness--can save you.  It did me. 

My family can be thankful that all 3 of the above situations were remedied in one week.  Thanks to legislation passed unbeknownst to most of the unemployed and discouraged workers in Missouri, the state House signed legislation approving additional funds for those whom had run out of claims for UI.  I now have an additional 20 weeks to find a job while recieving unemployment.  I am thankful to those who voted and passed this for families like mine.

Then, I sold an astounding number of pieces of artwork that had recently been placed on eBay, as a last ditch effort to pay this month's bills.  I made just enough to cover all the things most in danger of being disconnected or seized for failure to pay.  And, I received a check from two kind souls who saw it fit to help someone down on their luck find his son a gift.  Bless them.

And after a humble plea to the bosses supervisor at the trash company, he agreed to give us some time and had the trash picked up.

Is my faith in the system restored?  No, not really.  The system really had little to do with these small gestures that had such a huge impact.

I believe government is nothing without ordinary and good people to work on its behalf.

My son had cake and presents and balloons and singing.  It was almost as if it were any other birthday, only we might have appreciated it more this year.  My baby celebrated his 9th month with kisses and smiles and peace.

It was only the kindness of those people who have never met me--or my sons--people I will never meet, yet decided to share their good fortune or use their station in life to help--that helped save my family in its darkest and most unsure hour, and gave us back some normalcy, for a time.

And yet I know I am luckier than most.  I know that this doesn't happen for the guy down the street, who has his belongings out at the curb, next to a pink dresser with princesses, and a stroller.  It doesn't happen for the young girl in Port Au Prince with no roof, with caved in walls, and no food.  No shower.  Nor for my friend Evans and his neighbors in Kenya, who have no electricity in their home,and eat once a day.

It doesn't happen for the multitudes sleeping on park benches and bus stops, who know this simply as life. 

I may be jobless.  I may be in debt.  But I am not poor; I am not down on my luck. 

No... Whether the system is broken, and whether it sees me or not--this month I am rich, because I am an American.  I am rich because of the kindness of strangers.