This morning, I received a telephone call from the President of the Company I worked for 2007-2008. His company went under during the Great Recession. He couldn’t afford to pay my salary for the last 6 weeks before he closed the organization.

I never fought for the salary I worked so hard to earn, because I liked him, and his family so much. They were good to me, and I appreciated his family more than he knew. I expressed my compassionate understanding, and wished him well, for they struggled harder than I did. This recession broke the hearts and spirits of many, myself included.

Today, he explained what’s taken place in the past year, and how things have changed. He announced that after the first of the year he will be in a position to PAY me back. My eyes welled up with tears! This money comes at a most urgent time in my life. It is the best holiday gift I could possibly imagine, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

This spell of unemployment broke my heart in ways I cannot begin to explain. However, what it did do was bring me closer to those I love. It forced me to reach out in ways I never had, and it helped me to build relationships with new business colleagues who I have come to respect and admire.

During this period of my life, I worked on a book project, “Advanced Debate Strategies,” which will help high school students win competitions. Being a passionate forensics coach, this brought me untold joy. I had the opportunity to hone my social media skills, and to learn about personal, corporate and employee branding. It inspired me to write a book of my own. I started this blog, which makes me smile with each and every post. It brought me closer to my friends on twitter, Linkedin, and facebook. I learned about how 2.0 social media platforms can transform corporate cultures and open channels of communication.

I end 2009 with gratitude, and a few extra coins in my pocket (as a result of today’s call). The lesson learned: be compassionate in everything I do, let go and the universe will see to it that the balance in my life will be restored. This phone call today was a G-d send. Today, I praise the Lord, to whom all praise is due.