Thank you all for the very kind words and encouragement. It means a lot to me.
I agree that when one door closes, another one opens. We'll get through this, I'm sure.
The severance package is very generous. They even gave us one month towards COBRA, which will run us about $1,500 a month. The medical is really my biggest concern because of all the issues we have. A major surgery like the one husband had last year would devastate us if we didn't have the insurance, so I will be sure to sign up for COBRA as soon as we get the paperwork. In the mean time, he's still on their books until the beginning of July, so I have some medical claims to submit, I'll need to make sure all our prescriptions are filled through mail order for 90 days, and get whatever appointments we need handled in the next month.
The whole situation is frustrating because husband is well respected for his ability and knowledge and experience. There are a lot of people in the company who are upset about his leaving. It seems like the ones making the decisions must be new to the company and not really understand the impact he's had. Or maybe it doesn't really matter based on whatever changes they'll be implementing in the re-org. Then again, no one is irreplaceable, right?
I have no doubt he'll find work eventually. He's panicking now, naturally. And feeling very inadequate. But he's trying not to show it and I worry that he's just stuffing it, Know what I mean?? He did have a little meltdown tonight and was lashing out unreasonably at all of us. Ranting about leaving lights on, wasting food, yada, yada, yada. How I have to go out now and get a job -- which is fine, I'll do whatever I need to do, but I don't think he realizes how limited my earning potential is having been out of the job market, let alone my previous career industry, for close to 15 years. I could end up costing us more in taxes than I'd bring home in income, if that makes sense.
Anyway, after he ate dinner and took his medications, he watched the NBA playoff game and now he's fine.
He's going to take a few weeks off for vacation and I think we'll try to do some camping. He needs to get his head straight and decompress.
It's a stress we can all do without, but like I said, we'll deal with it. He's a smart guy and has developed a very large network of friends who care for him (I just got another email from an associate who wants to keep in touch with him) -- and in his line of work networking is really the best way to land back on your feet after an event like this. It's how I got rehired after I was laid off 20 years ago -- through a friend who knew someone who knew someone else who needed someone like me
I so very much appreciate everyone's prayers and well wishes! And I offer up the same to those of you who are in similar situations. You can bet I'll keep you posted...