we are all in this together....

[Mari333]

every day I read about the state of the economy..the jobs lost by people on here..the tragedies of everyones lives, the foreclosures, the passing on or sickness of loved ones, the horrors and fears of whats next..not a day goes by that someone on here isnt posting something thats happened to them personally..and sometimes I cant even log in because it makes me cry to see so much difficulty..
and here's what my solution is for me..and i am no stranger to hard times..
or, at least, heres what I proposed to my friends in my own small town
I have a friend right now who has no place to live..hes only 30, and a kid who is a musician..he was one of my sons friends..I have an extra room where I let him sleep, and he does little chores for me and pays me what he can from his gigs..hes a decent kid with good values and morals..
my extra room is available to him when he needs it. he wont sleep in the street.
my g friend is about to lose her home. she called me, terrified, because shes 59 and divorced, and has fibromyalgia..she has two masters degrees, but shes in so much pain she cant work..I could hear her saying to me 'where will I live? I have no family?'
I told her she will never be in the street..my home will always be open to her..I have told this to other friends too..
for some reason people need to know they wont be alone or on the street..
they need to know someone cares..
even if they never take up residence in your home, they still need the calmness of knowing they can
so, we are in this together.
if someone you know needs to know they can stay with you if times get tough, tell them they can
just the 'thought' that they wont be in the street lifts them up
if someone you know is hungry, being them some food..a crockpot of soup or a casserole..
throw a community potluck..at your house or church..invite everyone you know who is hurting..and feed them ..
barter...if an old man you know down the street needs to eat , but is too prideful to ask , ask HIM for his help, maybe he can mow your lawn or clean your gutters or walk your dog..tell him you will pay him with meals for a week.
theres so much we can do to help each other out..it doesnt take much....
one day, when I was looking at my dwindling retirement funds and freaking out, my oldest son called me. He asked me why I was so anxious..I told him I didnt want to end up on the street someday without food...
he said "mom..as long as I am around you will always have a place to live"
OH, well, knowing me, I would never take him up on that..
but just KNOWING that information makes all the difference in the world.
we are all in this together, and its amazing how we can all help each other out. and its simple.
if anyone else wants to share how we can all help each other in simple ways, please enlighten me as to other ways I can help people in my community.
thanks and peace out

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Your ideas are very good...

And you are a saint.

K&R

We are indeed all in this together...

[villager]

2. was only doing a "quick read" of DU, but had to log in...

...in order to K&R this!

Bravo to you, Mari333!

[dkf]

3. Aww your post really warmed my heart.

I think that is true, that knowing you have somewhere just in case can give a person peace of mind which allows them to not panic and to make better decisions.

The story of your friend with fibromyalgia is scary. My Aunty has it and I didn't realize it could be so bad.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Good ideas

BTW, tell your friend with fibromyalgia to try magnesium for pain relief. We get patients with this condition all the time at our clinic, and this is what we recommend. Some get it via injections, others take a supplement. Our Foundation will help folks out who are in a health crisis and only ask for a donation--and sometimes not even that. We have a Laboratory Assistance Grant fund we use to pay for labs for folks who come in and can't pay to find out why they feel so miserable. I guess you could say this is what we are doing to help out.

[Mari333]

7. thank you!!!!! she will be happy to hear this

shes a really nice woman..was the director of a mental health facility in a large city...brilliant woman and then the fibro hit her..you never know whats gonna knock u on your arse....
thank you very very much and hugs

[Fire1]

5. Amen.

[lildreamer316]

6. Right now we are housing a friend

who cannot afford even a basic apartment...she gives us what she can; but it's going to be awhile before she can get on her feet again.

We are all in this together.

[bertman]

8. Bad times often bring out the best in people. Thank you, Mari for posting this.

And for your generosity and compassion. It is inspiring and contagious.

[Greyhound]

9. K&R, this is what is needed, community.

:kick: & R