Vitality Stories

It Helps To Have A Sense Of Humor

Laughter is the best policy

I’ve learned a few things about moving over the past four years. I know that anything can get lost during a move, even a four-piece gigantic sectional sofa, and I can tell you the worst part of moving isn’t packing and unpacking, it’s going to the DMV and getting a new driver’s license and vehicle registration.

California, Maryland, Washington, New York–no state has the same process or policy, and it’s never as straight forward as their online portal tells you it will be:

So I did.

I entered the office with confidence, waited in line, and when I got to the window, I was told I was missing an item–my social security card which hadn’t been asked for or seen in 20+ years–and so…

 

 

It took me two trips to the DMV and a visit to the Social Security Division to request a replacement card before I walked away with a New York state driver’s license.

But on my return trip to the DMV I recalled the below email I received from my younger brother, K, in 2007. It makes me giggle everytime I think about it and it reminds me to bring a sense of humor with me to all government offices because laughter is the best policy.

December 12, 2007

Subject: I’M A FATHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, it’s true. According to the state employment securities division, I am ineligible for seasonal unemployment compensation because there is a child support lien against my social security number. Apparently I have a 27 year-old daughter in San Jose, California, whom I owe thousands of dollars in retro child support.

HERE’S THE KICKER: I appealed on the grounds that I would have been EIGHT years old when I fathered the little whipper snapper, AND I LOST THE APPEAL. I LOST THE APPEAL!

Fatherhood has really changed me, because even though the season has been over for four weeks and I couldn’t be more broke, all I can do is laugh about this. Kids have a way of mellowing you out I guess. If I get any pictures, I’ll send copies. I hope she has my eyes.

Love you,
K

December 13, 2007

Subject:  I’m crushed

Turns out they gave me and Mr. Smith* the same PIN number, thus the confusion. I think I would have been a good father. Oh well, I can always adopt.

Checked out my credit report, turns out I still have mediocre credit.

Love, K

 

Maybe the next time you have to tangle with a government office, my brother’s attitude will also make you smile and lighten up if everything doesn’t go according to plan.

Until next time, it’s good to be back and engaging with each of you. Thank you for being you!

Teri

*name changed to protect the deadbeat dad

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