A car, a hotel, a youth room at a local church and an RV my family had called home for many years due to homelessness.
Being a single parent of twin boys was hard but it was a decision I made shortly after they were born. Married to an alcoholic and an abuser I wanted better for my kids, they deserved it.
Growing up a minister’s daughter, homelessness was something I never knew much about. It was when I left the kids father that I found out just how tough it was going to be. A decision I’ve never regretted to this day. One income didn’t make it possible to pay the rent most times so evictions were a normal for us. After seven evictions in as many years no one would rent to us even if I did have the money to pay it. Affordable housing was the only way, however after talking about it with the kids they said no. I honored their decision as most decisions we made together as a family.
Shortly before the final eviction we adopted a shelter dog that became my Emotional Support Animal. We called her Faith. She became emotional support for all of us and I believe it gave us some type of normalcy in a homeless life. She provided unconditional love and 100 percent acceptance. Shortly after adopting her, we found out she had hip dysplasia. Being homeless was the best thing for her. Limiting her activity helped to not aggravate the condition.
Through panhandling to buy food and such I was introduced to The Contributor, Nashville’s Street paper and I found a job I could do. A microbusiness that helped me pay for things such as food and personal items, while Paul paid the rent on the hotel or RV park a couple of days a week. I learned to write for the paper and found my therapy. I made connections and learned how to budget.
Eventually Jason got married which left Paul, myself, and Faith together. The marriage didn’t last long, less than two years until his wife decided she didn’t want to be married anymore. With Jason alone to make the high rent soon Paul moved in with his brother and to this day they share the same apartment.
A stroke six years ago left me disabled, but I could still manage the RV with help. Leaving the hospital with several prescriptions costing almost $500 a month was not an option until I got a referral to Neighborhood Health. Neighborhood Health took care of me when I couldn’t do it myself. They filled my prescriptions each month until I finally received health insurance through disability.
This left me alone for the first time to make decisions on my own. Living in the now broken-down RV parked at my church, I liked an MDHA Facebook page, and was alerted to housing wait lists opening. I applied when it was time and after 7-8 years of homelessness, I finally got the call that they had an apartment for me. A home for Faith and myself.
Every single one of these events led me to where we all are today.
If it wasn’t for me leaving my husband the cycle of abuse could have continued. My kids could have become alcoholics and abusers. If it wasn’t for the stroke, I would have been disqualified from the housing I’m in today. I wasn’t 62 or older, but I was disabled. Through it all I leaned on my faith in God and followed the path He chose for me and my family. Through good and bad we learned lessons, important lessons that no teacher can teach. I know that everything happens for a reason. People often say God works in mysterious ways, but that’s wrong. God knows exactly what’s He’s doing. It’s up to us to follow the path chosen.
I’m not a fan of where my apartment is located, but I love my apartment and God’s still working in my life daily.