2016 has not been a great year by many measures. The Grim Reaper has taken so many talented people, for example. We lost musicians David Bowie and Prince, actors Alan Rickman and Gene Wilder, and sports figures Muhammad Ali and Arnold Palmer. The recent elections have left a large portion of Americans depressed and concerned for the future of the Nation. Terrible wars continue around the globe.
And yet . . .
We still have many things to be grateful for. I had a case this week where a client finally got approved after years of waiting. I asked about his Thanksgiving plans. He told me that the years he waited for Social Security to approve his disability claim had taken a toll. He was not sure he would be able to provide much of a meal for his family on Thanksgiving. But he was only downcast for a moment before telling me, with a broad smile, that he was going to be with his family that day. That was the only thing that mattered.
One difficult aspect of my job is hearing from clients who are desperate because Social Security takes so long to process claims. Many of these clients are facing being homeless other disasters. There is never anything I can offer them, except comfort. That does not turn the gas back on or forestall eviction.
I hope that in some small way, the good things that no economic loss can ever take away, such as being with family, can make the tough times a little easier to bear. We can all take a lesson from the client this week, who knew what to focus on.
Happy Thanksgiving.
