We’re halfway through 2025, and it genuinely feels as though it had just started…
Some people reading this know that I was employed at Chick-fil-A in August 2024. I’ve met many chill coworkers, I learned a lot of valuable skills, and it has continued to be a rewarding experience since then.
Or at least, until a certain point. I guess I’ll let the cat out of the bag: I got fired back in May!
My reaction?
(…which in English, loosely translates to “it is what it is”, and also doubles as the title of a catchy “so-bad-it’s-good” song by some Irish band. Incidentally, I seem to have put on a few pounds.)
I kept that sensitive life update under wraps for multiple personal reasons, but I eventually figured that I might as well let anyone who’s reading this via Facebook know for the sake of transparency and of catharsis. Instead of pointless ramblings about my mentally complex thoughts about the situation, I’ll cut to the chase: I’m still grateful for the time there, and I viewed the overall thing as a learning experience to maintain an attitude towards such life events that stays respectful, humble, and professional. (Perhaps my next job should be writing fluff for corporate documents.)
Anyways, another valuable reminder to myself is that near-everyone goes through setbacks like this. Mariah has been graciously helping me through the semi-unemployed life in the meantime before I find something else, but I did find myself having to deal with the consequences, such as the first time missing a credit card payment. The ability to accept from a helping hand is by no means guaranteed, and I always aim to be grateful for it.
…In more positive news, I did get to revisit my hometown of DeLand earlier that month! Mariah and I had scheduled a weekend to visit my parents at my former home as a late birthday celebration, and my parents did their best to make us feel welcome, and I got to reconnect with some nostalgic landmarks. I can’t speak for her, but I can also attest that Mariah was pleasantly surprised by the overall area. We managed to work in a visit to Boston Coffeehouse, which was where our first in-person meetup started before long-distance eventually became not-so-long-distance.
The cats were happy to see us too:

Above all, I’ll get through this. As I continue to submit more job applications and net a few interviews, I know I have a good support group behind me, and I also appreciate the astoundingly gracious offer to continue remote work for my former church. Above all else…
“It is what it is!”