Looking for Yad HaShem

Events happen. Life happens. Seemingly at random, but HaShem is the One who is guiding it all, even as it unfolds. It is only when we look back upon the events that occurred can we begin, maybe – if we are lucky – to see how that which has happened was no mere accident. How that which was seemingly bad was for our benefit. How it is truly Yad HaShem that was involved in the events that “happened.

On December 31, 2008, my wife gave birth to triplets. Having been on bed rest, both at home and in the hospital, my employer had been very gracious up until that point allowing me to come in late and leave early to be home for my older children. But, in February of 2009, I was let go ostensibly b/c of the low amount of work volume coming in – a result of them then current economic conditions in the nation. How was I to pay bills? How was I to maintain health insurance, especially important with children who required medical intervention, surgeries, hospital stays, and critical care. As a part of the government stimulus plan, the federal gov’t agreed to pay 65% of the costs of COBRA health insurance coverage for those people who were terminated from employment for a 9 month period. I qualified.”

Over the next few months, as I began looking for work, I was also available to help my wife and children at a moment in time when I was needed around the house more than ever. Fortunately, I was able to find “temporary” work, at a location extremely close to my house. Paid by the hour, there were no guarantees, but there was at least some income. And would a regular, steady, “full-time” position have allowed me the flexibility needed to leave as-needed to go home or the hospital for a full year? I hardly think so.

While the project for which I was initially hired to do has long since been over, I am still there, at the “temporary” place of employment, working on other projects. However, with the federal gov’t COBRA period of 9 months ending, how am I going to afford health insurance, a much needed item? In December 2009 the gov’t extended the 65% plan for another 6 months.

I don’t know what the future will hold, but in looking back I can clearly see Yad HaShem in everything that has occurred and that where I am is where I am supposed to be.