Thank you for your input Croix it's very much appreciated.
Earlier this week I was lying in bed, unable to sleep, reaching out to online chat services both on BB and lifeline - and generally feeling so alone and helpless I could cry. Which in fact....I did. My wife was busy settling the kids for bed and they all heard my distress. "What's wrong Daddy?", asked my nine year old daughter.
"Why won't anybody help me!?", and I began to weep. I then ranted something negative, which my wife and the kids quickly debunked. Because I'm on a combination of different meds, and doses of reasonable strength, crying tends to be hard thing for me to do. When the pressure is finally enough to spill over the pot, it's a pretty clear indication that I'm at my mental limits. No job, no car, no outlook.
It's a tired cliche' but a true one. How quickly things can change. No sooner had I finally gotten a better nights sleep and woken up the next day, the mother in law raps firmly, insistently on the front screen door at 9am sharp. My wife was also home as she hadn't been given a shift that day. Said MIL is a strong as a train and as stoic as a judge, she just keeps on going and doing and will do so until she drops. She quickly hustled the wife into the car. "Uhm...where are youse off to?", I murmured still 4/5ths asleep. "I found a car for $4k for [name omitted], we're going to have a look at it. I'll pay for it."
Penny slams to the floor. WT absolute F? A few hours later, they both return home. In tandem. In the best car $4k could realistically buy. An old, lovingly cared for mid 90s hatchback with bugger all kms. Proudly driven by some careful old crinkle to the Presbyterian church, then onto the bowls club every Sunday without fail.
The good news kept getting good-er. The friendly salesman at the used car dealership, turns out is looking for a part time detailer so my name was dropped during the transaction. I quickly phoned back and expressed interest, but was met with more than a snippet of hesitation due to me not being able to get there (we only had one car at this stage - aka the one they just bought).
It wasn't long before my own parents heard of the good deed obo the MIL. So impressed were they, a generous cash advance was forwarded to me. This had the effect on my self confidence of someone firing a missile.
Wife and I now have a car each. And pretty soon....a job each. We intend to repay every last cent we have been given as well.
