This resonates so much. When I was in my 20s I had a DV situation that landed me on the streets for a couple months. I was still in college and went to classes every week but after classes had no where to go. I ended up squatting in a make shift tent behind a Knights Inn in Detroit when I could no longer afford the room after my ex maxed out my credit cards and left a hand 🖐️ print on my face to steal the last of my cash.. He ditched me after dislocating my jaw and breaking my ribs. I took odd jobs including working for this absolute creep sexual predator Arab. Lucky I avoided rape but he made advances everyday and wouldn’t pay me unless I gave him hugs and kisses. I had to beg literally beg for my paycheck. Friend abandoned me when they saw the bruises and my condition. But I didn’t drink nor do drugs. I did what I needed to do.
I finished school and claimed bankruptcy after being wiped out. But I survived. I got two more jobs and started working in tech. I moved to Florida with a $600 car on its last legs and two bags. I met a roommate and got another two jobs and then went to an online MBA program. For 11 years I lived in the ghetto. I couldn’t get out with my bankruptcy on my record but I worked my ass off to rebuild my credit. From 325 to at 30 years old to 700. I celebrated the day of my expungement on that credit report. At 31 I had my first role where I made enough money to rent a real home!!! I bought my first house at 36 and now in my 40s my past is finally on the other side. But you can do it. It’s absolutely miserable but you can’t fall into substance abuse and you have to have something to work for. For me it was college. It was a degree where kids these days protest 🪧 where it was my way out. I still have 50k in student loans too. Living in the ghetto sucks but it was better than being on the streets.
I have a lot of compassion for the women you write about. I’ve been there and I never forget who I was and what I had to do. I hope she believes in herself one day. Change is possible.
Your writing was very powerful and resonated deeply with me. I don’t use words like victim or survivor. I instead use words like progress and boundaries. I look at people as people and I always try to find empathy before judgement. But I also saw the pitifalls of why some of my peers couldn’t get out. Lost friends to AIDS and to overdoses. I realized hell is a real place. And when you’re in it you keep Moving!!
Best wishes and look forward to reading more of your essays!!
A deeply thoughtful message. I didn’t learn until after my mom passed (19 years ago this month) that she’d escaped a terribly abusive marriage, was somehow able to change her identity and make her way from the east coast to the west coast . It’s a long, complicated story but after finding and meeting my family back east I learned what she’d gone through and how difficult her journey had been. No one would have guessed this of her, not even my father knew anything about her history. I came to understand why she had made it such a strong point to instill and influence my empathy and compassion towards others ( at the same time, she also guided me to be cognizant of those who will exploit and manipulate the well intentioned). She had deep insight into the nature of how very brutal life can be for those who are encumbered with the weight of fearfulness, anxiety, loss, grief.
I give thanks to those who helped her along the way as she managed to reclaim her life and overcome adversity.
Your undertaking to help souls in need is indeed a blessed mission. 🙏
Thank you so much, Claire, for your kind words for this open, honest sharing. Your Mom sounds like a powerful role model. Your comment gives me a glimpse into your development into such a kind, generous, and discerning soul. I appreciate you! 🙏
I cannot imagine how hard it would be to live like that. It must be so terrifying. My heart breaks for the likely millions across this country who end up on the streets. Thank you for all you do ♥️
Thank you for this sobering reminder 😞🙏🏽
Thank YOU for having ears to hear and, for the record, this reminder is as much for myself as anyone else. 🙏🏽
Amen. And amen to what T said (and she said it a lot better than the likes of GBS or the business suit woman could have).
Bless you, Lorie... 🙏🏽
This resonates so much. When I was in my 20s I had a DV situation that landed me on the streets for a couple months. I was still in college and went to classes every week but after classes had no where to go. I ended up squatting in a make shift tent behind a Knights Inn in Detroit when I could no longer afford the room after my ex maxed out my credit cards and left a hand 🖐️ print on my face to steal the last of my cash.. He ditched me after dislocating my jaw and breaking my ribs. I took odd jobs including working for this absolute creep sexual predator Arab. Lucky I avoided rape but he made advances everyday and wouldn’t pay me unless I gave him hugs and kisses. I had to beg literally beg for my paycheck. Friend abandoned me when they saw the bruises and my condition. But I didn’t drink nor do drugs. I did what I needed to do.
I finished school and claimed bankruptcy after being wiped out. But I survived. I got two more jobs and started working in tech. I moved to Florida with a $600 car on its last legs and two bags. I met a roommate and got another two jobs and then went to an online MBA program. For 11 years I lived in the ghetto. I couldn’t get out with my bankruptcy on my record but I worked my ass off to rebuild my credit. From 325 to at 30 years old to 700. I celebrated the day of my expungement on that credit report. At 31 I had my first role where I made enough money to rent a real home!!! I bought my first house at 36 and now in my 40s my past is finally on the other side. But you can do it. It’s absolutely miserable but you can’t fall into substance abuse and you have to have something to work for. For me it was college. It was a degree where kids these days protest 🪧 where it was my way out. I still have 50k in student loans too. Living in the ghetto sucks but it was better than being on the streets.
I have a lot of compassion for the women you write about. I’ve been there and I never forget who I was and what I had to do. I hope she believes in herself one day. Change is possible.
Thank you for sharing, LL. We live in a culture without a safety net and I'm happy to hear you've had a soft landing. 🙏🏽
Your writing was very powerful and resonated deeply with me. I don’t use words like victim or survivor. I instead use words like progress and boundaries. I look at people as people and I always try to find empathy before judgement. But I also saw the pitifalls of why some of my peers couldn’t get out. Lost friends to AIDS and to overdoses. I realized hell is a real place. And when you’re in it you keep Moving!!
Best wishes and look forward to reading more of your essays!!
Your kind sentiments are deeply appreciated and I love knowing you're out there, leading by example! 🙏🏽
🙏
A deeply thoughtful message. I didn’t learn until after my mom passed (19 years ago this month) that she’d escaped a terribly abusive marriage, was somehow able to change her identity and make her way from the east coast to the west coast . It’s a long, complicated story but after finding and meeting my family back east I learned what she’d gone through and how difficult her journey had been. No one would have guessed this of her, not even my father knew anything about her history. I came to understand why she had made it such a strong point to instill and influence my empathy and compassion towards others ( at the same time, she also guided me to be cognizant of those who will exploit and manipulate the well intentioned). She had deep insight into the nature of how very brutal life can be for those who are encumbered with the weight of fearfulness, anxiety, loss, grief.
I give thanks to those who helped her along the way as she managed to reclaim her life and overcome adversity.
Your undertaking to help souls in need is indeed a blessed mission. 🙏
Thank you so much, Claire, for your kind words for this open, honest sharing. Your Mom sounds like a powerful role model. Your comment gives me a glimpse into your development into such a kind, generous, and discerning soul. I appreciate you! 🙏
She was an amazing woman and helped so many others in their lives. Thanks again for your work! ❤️🙏
❤️🙏
I cannot imagine how hard it would be to live like that. It must be so terrifying. My heart breaks for the likely millions across this country who end up on the streets. Thank you for all you do ♥️
Thank you for your compassionate response, my friend. 🙏
Well said, Mickey.
Thank you, my friend...I appreciate the support! 🙏