I’m thankful, but always struggling

Like many of you, I love having family and friends over for Thanksgiving. Turkey with gravy and cranberry sauce. Plenty of mashed potatoes on the side and a good slice of pumpkin pie. Mmmm, happiness can be so easy. Except when you can’t afford dinner.

Thanksgiving, my favorite American holiday, is coming up, but our dinner this year won’t be one of celebration. This month, like so many other airport workers who clean terminals and airplanes, push wheelchairs, handle baggage and keep Fort Lauderdale Airport safe and secure, I’m about to run out of money. I can barely pay rent, and I definitely can’t afford a turkey formy children.

When you struggle to pay the bills on $4.65 an hour plus tips and no health insurance, finding reasons to be thankful becomes a real challenge. But I say grace, pray formy family, and try to make the best of it.

I’m thankful formy wife and my beautiful children. They are the center ofmy life. I wish I could spend more time with them. But working full time— plus commuting by bus for 4 hours every day— I barely have the chance to play withmy girls or kiss them goodnight.

I’m thankful I don’t get sick a lot, because when I have to stay in bed with a fever, I don’t get paid. When I have a cold, I want to work but sometimes don’t. My job puts me in contact with senior citizens and people who are frail or ill; it wouldn’t be right to expose them. So I stay home sick and lose a day’s pay.

I’m thankful for Medicaid. Our children are finally covered. I say grace.

I’m thankful Iwas able to come to this country looking for a better life. I’m thankful for life, but life needs to change. The airport needs to change. We cannot continue to live this way; I only have time towork and sleep. I’m always tired. And broke.

Today, I’m thankful; I got a ride from a friend. I got home in just 30 minutes. Iwas tired but thankful: Iwas able to play patty cake withmy girls. Sometimes happiness can be so easy. I’m thankful, but I want change. Edson Jocelyn is a passenger assistant at Fort Lauderdale International Airport.