# I Feel So Bad Right Now **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 21, 2000, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618 "2000-12-21T00:44:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/1 "2000-12-21T00:44:11Z")
I feel so bad right now. I won’t mention names because I don’t want to embarass her. I don’t think she frequents this board at all anyway. But I have a friend at work. We’ve known each other for about the past 5-6 years. She was then living with a guy who she thought she was going to end up marrying and had two kids with him. Eventually she realized that that wasn’t going to work out and got out of that situation. She hooked up with another guy that she was really in love with, but now he’s turned out to be a jerk as well. He left her with an $800 back rent bill, utility bills, and she’s still got two kids to support every other week. Our company won’t hire her full time, apparently because she has to take time off to take care of the kids every now and then, so she’s stuck with a low-paying temp job. I talked to her as I was leaving this afternoon and she said she doesn’t even have enough money to buy her children Christmas presents this year. I almost started to cry. And with my situation, there’s not a damn thing I can do for her except volunteer a shoulder to cry on. We all make bad decisions in life, but damn, I feel so bad for her right now. ---
**Author:** ![Ad\_Noctum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b19c9b/32.png) [@Ad\_Noctum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ad_Noctum)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/2 "2000-12-21T00:52:33Z")
here’s an Idea- how bout your office secretly collaborates, and raises money to maybe HELP pay off her $800, and definately buy her kids X-mas presents?- that’s just an Idea, and I hope you feel much better. of course you will feel bad, yer Human. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/3 "2000-12-21T00:53:11Z")
Hey, **Euty**. That really blows. Perhaps there is an SDMB solution. I’d be willing to donate to the cause, since I trust you, and I HATE to think of Christmasless kids. I wonder if anyone would join me? Would you buy and distribute the gift(s) if there were a good SDMB response? Oh, and would the mother be OK with it? ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/4 "2000-12-21T00:54:20Z")
Call me a sap. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/5 "2000-12-21T00:57:25Z")
i’m with ya ogre. ---
**Author:** ![CircusPhreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b487fb/32.png) [@CircusPhreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CircusPhreak)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/6 "2000-12-21T01:02:36Z")
If you give me an adress to mail the money too. (A P.O. box would be advisable, not a home adress) I’m a highschool kid, and I have a lousy job at a supermarket, but I am willing to give up a few weeks pay to help out. ---
**Author:** ![Highlander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Highlander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Highlander)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/7 "2000-12-21T01:04:20Z")
Once again I’m the voice of Melin here. Pat, she says to tell you that if you want to take up a collection, she’ll send you tonight $20 (on PayPal) to get it started toward buying presents for those kids (Melin’s a softie when it comes to kids at Christmas). Post something, or send her an email at [Melin@fathom.org](mailto:Melin@fathom.org). ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/8 "2000-12-21T01:07:20Z")
Come on, Euty. Looks like Christmas may be **on** for these kids! ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/9 "2000-12-21T01:10:31Z")
Once again **Euty** , you prove exactly why you are so respected here. ---
**Author:** ![deb2world](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@deb2world](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deb2world)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/10 "2000-12-21T01:10:41Z")
Euty: About the presents, churches frequently give gifts to needy people. You could contact your neighborhood church and see what they can do. As for the donation idea, God has blessed me so count me in. ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/11 "2000-12-21T01:11:14Z")
I appreciate all the kind wishes and offers to send money for the kids, but it’s not really necessary. The kids are going to have a good Christmas with their father buying stuff and I think her mom is going to pitch in as well. It’s her mental state that I’m more worried about right now. She just sees no real future in anything she’s doing and wants so badly to make something out of her life and everything she tries just turns out badly for her. I think it’s just all hitting her hard right now because it’s Christmas. ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/12 "2000-12-21T01:15:00Z")
Be a good friend to her, Euty. It’s what you’re best at. Especially if her name begins with K. ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/13 "2000-12-21T01:16:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rasa \* > \*\*Especially if her name begins with K. \*\* It does. :: sigh :: ---
**Author:** ![Totoro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Totoro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Totoro)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/14 "2000-12-21T01:20:31Z")
You know, I hate to say this, but it isn’t your problem. It’s really good that you’re concerned, and I don’t want to come off like “oh, ditch her,” but unless you truly think she’ll go nuts or kill herself, try not to worry about it. Sometimes nothing is the only thing we can do. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/15 "2000-12-21T01:33:47Z")
Well, hell. It was an idea. I’m glad to hear that the kids will have a good Christmas, but sad to hear about your co-worker’s difficulties. Best of luck to them, and you. ---
**Author:** ![dragonlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@dragonlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragonlady)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/16 "2000-12-21T02:00:10Z")
Euty, Reconsider the offers here. I was in a very similar position at one time and being confronted with the reality that there were so many people, strangers, willing to go the extra mile for me and my kids made all the difference. It wasn’t the money, (although it was GREAT) it was knowing that so many individuals got involoved because they were good people. That said, do NOT mention it to her, just do it. I would have refused absolutely. And count me in… it’s my way of paying it back. ---
**Author:** ![Totoro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Totoro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Totoro)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/17 "2000-12-21T02:02:39Z")
I feel bad for my post before. I don’t like it. Go the extra mile, I think that’d be a better idea. Just have a party for her with all your coworkers. Make it a surprise party. Have a good time. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/18 "2000-12-21T02:12:14Z")
I got a message on my answering machine today that my favorite ( and nearly only) bookstore (used)that I practically live in is going out of business in January. I cannot tell you what this does for me. This lady knows me and the books I like. She even saves book that she thinks I will like. I thought business was going good for her. I’ve gone to her for 6.5 years for 98% of all my books, which is about $25 a month average for a bunch of books. I also just took in about $100 of used books for credit. I wish I knew that she was going out of business before I did that. Don’t ever let me do business with you dopers, I am the black death for businesses I like. Waaaaaaaaaaaaah. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/19 "2000-12-21T02:13:24Z")
CRAP and DOUBLE CRAP. I thought I was starting my own thread of self pity. Please ignore this. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618/20 "2000-12-21T02:30:55Z")
Eutychus55, I really think you should reconsider on everyone’s offers. It might mean a lot to her if she would get an anonymous card signed “Someone who cares” in the mail with a nice money order in it. 'Tis the season for this sort of thing, after all, and even if the kids will get their presents, it might help her out with her other expenses, and her mental state as well, knowing that someone DOES care. CircusPreak, you’re a real gem. Your post made me smile. I’m glad there are still kids like you out there. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-so-bad-right-now/46618.md?page=2)