I feel the generation gap

 I met Buddy last year on the Crazy Train route (the one that departs work, when I get off).  He did that until the end of the year, bid to come back, lost the bid.  I figured I would never see him again.  I was delighted when he came back about the same time as my assault.  

I made some choices and gave him my number.  But I am older (I think about 15 years or so), he isn't interested.  That's OK I won't lie in bed at night wondering what if I'd given him my number.  

I am active online, to the point I spend an extra $40 a month for my isp because I feel they are more reliable.  

Anyway one of my groups I have seen young (early 20's) kids talk about calling into work because they "can't".  "I have anxiety today I can't do it".  

Today I said I think that's the difference with people who pay all the bills themselves vs. people who do not.  Someone like me I have to go to work.  If I don't work I'm homeless.  

If Katniss calls in sick her Mom and Dad will pay the cell phone bill, or her boyfriend.  What difference does it make?  

I also pointed out that when retail workers call in sick someone else has to cover.  I don't want to put that weight on someone I like (and I like all my coworkers).  

Gen X on up we fell down Mom and Dad would say "get up it's not that bad".  They would examine it, tell us to go play, and we would.  Ron fell off a ladder, on his head, as a child.  He said he just laid there, stunned.  His brother told him to get up and walk around.  He could.  He was "fine".  Now that's a little much but you get the idea.  

I think younger generations they fell down and their caregivers treated it as a major life crisis.  Now that said, Mom had a rule if we did have to go to the hospital we would get ice cream (at the shop!).  And I did when it was my turn to fall off my bike.  When my younger brother hurt himself I provided first aid so Mom brought me ice cream from the shop when she brought him back from the hospital.  But then it was back to life.  

If kids are slamming back 5 Monsters a day and complaining about anxiety they need to examine that.  Especially if it is leading them to call in sick on a holiday weekend.  I think it was more a case of "I don't want to work it".  

And I get that.  I've been there.  

But I'm counting on a full paycheck.  

I want to take some time to go see my aunt and uncle once things settle at work.  I will need PTO to cover that.  So I'm saving it.