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Leaning up against the dumpster, she explained, "Two years ago, I had a great job, home and family" adding, "Now, I have lost all hope." She went on to tell me about how it all began. They both had good jobs, her husband was in middle management, she worked at a retail store. She said they were doing well, were buying a home and both driving newer cars. The kids were involved in sports, and were happy and healthy. "It all started when he lost his job after his company closed to move out of the (United) States," she continued, "Our bills were based on both incomes, we hadn't planned on a job loss, we planned on promotions."
We walk together down the alley as she explains how they couldn't make ends meet, began slipping behind on their bills. The children didn't understand, they haven't ever faced hard times. Tears filled her eyes as she blurts out, "Then I showed up at work one day and they told me they were closing." I hand her a tissue and she continues, "It wasn't long after that we received a foreclosure notice. We had no where to go. Our extended families were small and didn't have room for all of us." I bite my lip as I think, "Where would I go if I were in her shoes?" My family is not large either. She explained her sister took in her kids as she and her husband went to a shelter. She said her sister was having difficulties as well because they had no health benefits and was battling diabetes. "I was a lot like you" she said, "I never thought this would ever happen to me"
"Wasn't there any programs that could help?" I asked, "Did you try selling your home?" She explained that it all happened so quickly, they hoped they could find work and tried so hard. "What happened to your husband?" I asked. "He couldn't take it, he gave in to the pressure" she explained, "He left me a note, saying goodbye, I never saw him again" She explained he blamed himself because he had a choice in the last job he took. He could have taken a job at another company that is still in business here, but he opted for the one where he could make the most money. For a while she thought she could find a way to make money, find a place to rent and pull the family back together. She said, "Who would hire me looking like this?" adding, "I have no way to take a shower and no clean clothes." My mind flipped through pages of memories of all the homeless people I have met. It was there, even though I knew this, when I met them, I didn't think of the fact, they looked dirty and often stunk, but that wasn't a choice they made, that was reality.
We discussed items we could do as a nation to help our homeless people get back to society. We discussed programs that could be started to really provide help where it is direly needed. We discussed how easily it would be for most Americans to end up on the street. We discussed the lack of programs out there for people like her. We discussed a lack of options. We discussed hope and the need of change. I gave her what cash I had in my wallet and began walking away, thinking that I was glad I have survived this crisis so far. I turned and looked at her as I was leaving. She was reaching into a dumpster for food.
Don't dare question why I am supporting the candidate of hope and change!
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