Just A Little More

I think everyone feels like they could use it: a little more patience, a little more money, a little more time, a little more hair, a little more gas, a little more love...the list is endless.


For me, physically, I could use a little more sleep….mentally I could use much more.

I didn't do an entry last night because I was so lethargic from the night before.


Our day went as scheduled:

Wake at 4:45 am


Wake the Jay at 5am


Breakfast is prepared by 5:20am


Dress and ready myself before 5:30am


Wake Miah by 5:30am


Feed him, wash him, dress him...


Transform the front room back into a living room by changing the futon from a bed to a couch


Put away the linen


Tidy the kitchen, bathroom and living room and turn out all of the lights...


We're usually out of the house by 6:15am.


Miah gets to daycare by 6:25am


Jay and I get to my school by 6:31am


I taught and planned until 2:45pm


CFT Meeting for my son from 2:45 until 4:15pm


Meeting with Jay's Art teacher (he didn't come to the meeting) 4:20pm-4:40pm


Pick Miah up from daycare and give him a snack at 4:45pm


Take Jay to the place to pick up his shirt for the game and to warm up his dinner


Jay eats his Turkey casserole and collard greens in the car on the way to his practice before the game


Miah and I go back to the school for an hour and head to church.


Miah gets dinner at church.


Got the church at 7pm, Miah wets his clothes, I change him and take him to his class...he's so excited!


I go to service. I dance, I praise, I listen, I'm blessed.


At 8:51pm I get a phone call. Jay is waiting for me.


I pick him up and by 9:30pm, we're home.


It’s time to get things prepared for the next day

We convert the living room back into a bedroom and I try to unwind…I can't.

After the boys were ready for futon and asleep, I talked on the phone with one of my friends. He encourages me daily; He's such an inspiration. [Ced, thanks for always being there.] We talk about the Word of God and make fun of one another between admonishments. Then he randomly asserts:

"You know this isn't going to last much longer" he says.

"I receive that" I reply.

"One day soon you're gonna be so happy" he continues.

"Landa, (I love it when he calls me that)" he pauses, "I'm your friend to the end. You know that right?"

"Yes" I reply. Then I sigh a gasp of relief because, out of all of the well-wishers and people who say they will always be there for me, Cedric is the one person who calls me daily to check on me. Almost every other hour.

He always has something positive to say, and he can tell when I‘m discouraged and he doesn’t let me off of the phone until he hears me smile. That's the kind of friendship I need right now.

Please don't get me wrong, I know people have their lives and I'm not expecting everyone to start calling me (you saw my schedule); however, during this time, my greatest challenges stem from my attempting to juggling all of the things I "have" to do as well as the emotion struggles that come with being homeless. The weight of my responsibilities is insurmountable and at times I feel crushed as I do my best to keep my head up, it feels good to know that someone takes the time to text, e-mail, blog or call me. Cedric provides me with a normalcy that I can't give myself and that's what makes it so invaluable.
Last night, we started talking about pastor's message concerning hope, faith and love and I began to falling asleep [Sorry Ced]. He graciously gave me an out. "Get some rest lady. I'll call you tomorrow." As we said our goodbyes, I couldn't help but think about how good it feels to know that I’m not going through this alone.

We all have busy lives. I know it. You just saw mine. Sometimes my schedule is so incredibly cumbersome and inundating, as I attempt to allow my sons to have a normal life, that I feel swallowed by it. Therefore, it is refreshing to know that I can at least have an adult conversation. I'm not very hard to please, so most times, that's all I need.

Many of us would like to have a little bit more of something. My desire for "a little bit more" is contingent upon my circumstances. Due to my current situation, many people pledge some sort of support (and I appreciate and need it so much), yet I cannot describe the feelings that reading an e-mail/blog comment, receiving a text message, or getting a phone call evokes. [A special thank you to all of you who contact me whenever you can].That personal contact is so important to me and seeing an adult in person is truly priceless.

How many people walk alone through life's challenges on your job, in your neighborhood or at your church? Could a simple phone call or smile from you make the difference in whether or not they feel fortified? Is there any chance that 10 minutes out of your day could help someone hold their head up a little bit easier. Maybe. Therefore, I admonish you, whether you know someone is going through or not, reach out to a person you haven't talked to in a while (or ever). Attempt to send someone a kind message. It might help them get through the day.

Are you feeling overwhelmed or lonely? Do you feel as though no one cares? Do you miss or long for adult interaction or human contact? Well, I'm here. If you have a prayer request or just want to share, please email me at yolandawhitted@msn.com. Some people have asked me whether or not I'm on other networks; I am. I'm leaving this information just in case you have questions or would like to follow me:

Facebook: Yolanda R. Whitted

Twitter: HomelessTeacher

I love you and pray that your day is brighter after reading this post. GBY!

"A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need." Prov. 17:17