A Blacksheep Testimony

          Ten months ago we lost our home.  Nine months ago we lost my step-mother.  Eight months ago my husband lost his job.  I could blame the recession, but reality is we, like many other families, are just dealing with life's many ups and downs.  However I am SO THANKFUL for the lows, because they truly make you appreciate the highs.
           As soon as we lost the house, our children were sent away for summer break (good timing right?).  This allowed us the option to live in a hotel until we could reestablish our money.  It seemed like a great idea, just hubby and I cuddled up in a studio sized hotel suite.  However when my step-mother was diagnosed with cancer, I did what I needed to do to help my father.  Even if that meant losing weeks of pay, and making several trips from ATL to Chicago.  During the time of her funeral, my husband was laid off of his job of 8 years.  Talk about a double wammy!  So when our children returned home 3 months later, they found us living in a hotel on a very minimal budget.  Hurt and disappointed, but we as parents did what we had to do to make it work.  To say it was a major adjustment for us all is an understatement.  We went from a half acre backyard to absolutely no play space.  Sharing bathrooms, drawers and counter space with children is hectic.  Not being able to entertain guest with BBQ, cards, and laughs was the worse for me.   During this time we had to deal with many other financial obstacles. Traffic fines which turn into thousands of dollars (and i do mean thousands) in fines and fees.  We lost not one but 2 trucks, making it impossible for hubby to job hunt.
          I couldn't let the negative things overcome us, so I found myself constantly looking for the positives.  Sharing a small space can really serve as bonding for a family.  Hubby and I learned so much about our children during that time (good and bad).  They definitely are coming into their own personalities, which can sometimes be missed behind bedroom doors, and too much technology time.  It also caused us to really focus on building unity and showing respect for others.  But most of all it made us all appreciative.  At least once a week I had to remind everyone that it could be worse.  We could be in a shelter, separated, or living outside on the streets.  We had walls, good eats, and enough income to maintain week to week.
          I am SO HAPPY TO SHARE that as of 4 weeks ago, we have been able to climb a few steps up the mountain of life.  Instead of purchasing another SUV, we were able to purchase a small gas saving vehicle.  After 7 months of unemployment, hubby started his new job this week.  AND we moved into an apartment temporarily while we save up for another house.  Nope I'm not back to where I want to be, but I had to share some of the progress.  Many people including my own family had no idea of our situation.  Just goes to show that everything that glitters aint gold!  A lot of times people assume life is grand.  You never really know what someone is going through, but better believe through it all I held my head high, stayed positive, and kept my eyes on the prize:
Dear Top,
The Williams are coming for you..
Sincerely Ladae