Talk about perspective.
A friend who is currently chief operating officer at his small company bought a new house about a year ago. His no-account younger son (who is over 18) lives with him. He bought a bigger than required house, planning for the time his mother becomes too ill to live on her own so she can come live with him.
He was very upset about the downswing in the economy. His retirement was basically destroyed, so he really couldn't plan on ever retiring anymore. So he decided to buckle down and rebuild his finances.
Then about 3 weeks ago, he came down with a pinched nerve in his lower back. He also has high BP and is medically controlling his cholesteral levels. Now he is in severe pain, is on crutches, it is agony for him to sit or stand or lay for any amount of time. My parents both went through the same condition and it's no picnic.
He is currently getting injections for the pain and his doctor recommended the newest surgery. It's dangerous surgery, but I encouraged him to get it. No point in living with such pain.
Then yesterday, when he e-mailed to check in with me, I found out that he strongly suspects that his boss is trying to push him out. A lot of his duties are starting to be removed and delegated out to others, that sort of thing. He had helped his boss build up that company, and now he's considered a liability due to the amount of his paycheck and - probably - his health issues.
Talk about taking a serious hit should he be laid off what with his house note, truck note and son depending on him. And I, at least, still have my health. He doesn't and has serious health problems. I urged him to get the operation quick before he got laid off so their insurance could pay for it. My bosses laid me off just as the open enrollment period was ending for my health insurance
i.e. they cut me loose at the end of my insurance coverage period so I have no health coverage and will have to find my own.
His situation really put things in perspective for me.