Is currency really important, or is it just a fab?

I'll let you be your own judge, weather you think that staying current is as important as is stressed by uspa, and experienced jumpers, all I can do, is tell my story.
About a year ago today, life events occurred, that would put jumping nearly out of the picture. Job loss, my girlfriend becoming pregnant, marriage, new job, no money, etc. With a baby on the way, I had to really question if jumping was for me. February 2, 2008, was the last jump I had the privilege of making, before my reserve went out of date. Each month, I toiled with getting my reserve repacked, selling my main for some extra money, or giving up jumping all together. Time just kept slipping away.. wedding in march, April, still no jumping, May, I'm getting to my limit of losing my currency by USPA's standards. June, Prices have gone up, and can I really afford it? I still need a repack! July, here is my baby! 6lb. 7oz. Lauren Saunsuray Sherman. She is gorgeous! Looking at here, I am really questioning if I will jump again. August, every plane I hear, I look up and dream of jumping. The worst part, was when my job placed my at the Fullerton airport for three Saturdays in a row, 18 hour shifts. I chose the night shift, so I didn't have to see them planes tease me all day.
Now, here we are in September, and I am nearly eight months without a jump. My currency is out the door, but I am ready to make a jump. I bring my reserve in to get repacked, and some repairs, as well as check what the dropzone charges for re currency training. Level E, $200 Whoa!!! Coach jump.. $100 Heck no!!! Well, I could find someone with a coach rating and pay for their slot, but I am shy, I know, those of you who know me, might not believe that, but it is true.

Sept. 20, and my rig is ready to go, talk to my rigger, and find that it will need some repairs from the factory, but will not fall apart, if i choose to jump it. *at least not yet* I pack my main, go up to the office, give them my updated reserve card, and put some money on my account. Down to manifest, and there I am, on a 40 minute call! I chose to do a hop and pop, which really means, 5,000 feet exit, but will have the sky to myself.
So much is running through my mind, making sure that I am not forgetting anything. Visualize the different types of malfunctions, and how to deal with them. Put my rig on, and practice my EP's. Whoa! Note to self... my handles are not where they used to be. I have gained some weight, and the reserve must be sitting a little different. Practice several times, get the new location into my memory. Chat with friends, run through the scenarios, and it is time to gear up and go!
On the plane, I am a little nervous, but don't want to show it. There is one other hop and pop, so I let him go first. Funny thing is, once the plane was off the ground, and the door was open, my nerves calmed down, and I was back in familiar territory. 5,000ft, and I am ready to go. Watch first hop and pop, give him some time, then do a cannonball exit. I was worried that I would not be stable if I just went straight out, and as you know, appearance is everything! Time to go belly to earth.. achk! whoa, huh, ARCH! potato chip, oh, ok, there it is! Where is the other guy? oh well, it is just he and myself, I know he is not near me. Track, good, still got it. It has all come back to me. Now, time to pull! YAHOOOOOO!!!!!! Just like I remember it. look up, and see that wonderful blue ball turn into a fully inflated canopy. Control check, yup, still good. flare check, ok, that'll work. A little playing, and time to land. Well, my accuracy is not all that great, but then.. it never was.

If I ever get to the point, where I am eight months without a jump, I will diffidently not go, without some extra training. I now see how important it is, to do a quick retrain, not only to ease the nerves, but to make sure that I am ready to go. I survived, made it to the ground safely, and am now recurrent, but will still have to take it slow, to get back to the level where I once was (a crappy flyer who just likes to have fun)