Progress Occurs Quickly (Volume 2)

It wasn't long before I knew for sure that we would be moving.

I was elated, but my outward response was more subdued.
Somewhere inside of me I couldn't believe it.
It wasn't that I didn't believe God; It was just that we had been
in our predicament for a little while.

I had become accustomed to the smell of cigarette smoke each morning as the
residents upstairs had their morning cigarette.

I had become acclimated into my 2am laundry routine once a week. I had attempted to make our new place home...in my heart I knew it was temporary, but in my mind, it was a permanent arrangement. I had to get accustomed to the fact that we would have to live this way for a little while, yet I never dreamed that I would start thinking it would be more permanent.

I talked to the women at IHN and told them about the new places and I think they were excited for me; however, they were still a little doubtful that we would be able to get into our place as quickly as promised.

The representative for Habitat for New Hope informed me that all I needed to do was go to the new landlord and sign my lease. I missed most of my planning and my lunch to do it, but I got it done so that we could move in on Friday, February 12th. I had a ton of things to do. I thought we would be able to stay in the shelter until Monday, February 15th, but I had no idea that a new family was moving in on Sunday, so we needed to be out by Sunday the 14...Valentines Day.

On Friday, we had our meeting at the house where we were presented with the key. Catherine from IHN was there (glowing with excitement) as Jeremiah ran around in circles, then darted up the stairs. He giggled with an untamed laugher that echoed through the walls of our new place like a roaring thunder. Jay followed him; not because he needed to, I thought Jay just needs to see that room again...his privacy again...he's probably up there just staring at the walls. 


I stood there taking pictures with everyone. They took photos of me receiving the key, opening the door with the key, laughing as I held the key, hugging Catherine from IHN, hugging Catherine and Cynthia...I took so many photos that I felt as though there was some sort of exposé being written about me, the Homeless English Teacher. Somewhere inside I felt afraid and despondent. I knew my situation was changing, yet I still wanted something a little more than what I had: a family beyond my children.

Then I thought about it. I had to arrest myself.

Stop being so negative, Yolanda! I thought

Besides, we had been through so much, yet there were so many people who reached out to us during our time of need. I thought about it. I saw plenty of compassion from others. I received love from so many people.

I thought about how many people from home offered their assistance. I recalled how many people called me to encourage me, and, even though they were far away, their love had touched us right here in NC. Then I thought about the three organizations that helped us: Carolina Outreach (the organization that provided initial case management at the beginning of our crisis as well as a helping had (literally) when we needed to move our sectional to a warehouse for safe-keeping), Interfaith Hospitality Network of Durham (the organization that gave us a great place to stay and was determined to keep us in housing so that we didn't have to live on the streets. I appreciate them most of all for ensuring that we were able to obtain services from Habitat for New Hope), Habitat for New Hope (the organization that made sure we were provided with a place to live (in a timely manner) I appreciate Cynthia most of all for being so positive and giving me back something I had thought I lost through the process: the feeling that this situation was not my fault and that their organization was here to help me and not to judge me), Verizon Wireless even pledged their support by giving me 10% off of my cell phone bill for six months, last but not least my church World Overcomers Christian Church (where a litany of individuals reached out to me in  various ways, and, the church as a whole reach out and blessed my family with the funds to repair my totally separated manifold). Of course, I wouldn't have been able to think straight without my psychiatrist, Dr. Giragos, who, in all of his wisdom, helped me to understand how precious I was through this ordeal...He helped me see the diamond through the coal that was me. (That's my original stylistic syntax!)

I guess God showed me that, through all of these people coming together, that I did have a family...I had the support I always needed, and, even though I would have rather it been a husband in my corner, I found out that all of those people who stood together with me were just as good as a spouse.

The move occurred over a period of one weekend...
It was a busy weekend and we did it alone.
I can't tell you how many trips it took, but Jay and I did it.
We didn't mind.

I finally saw the excitement in Jay's eyes as he danced around in a shout of glee...He had a room again and it was empty and lovely.

He had space.

Jeremiah's dad finally asked for some time with him and it was a good thing. In the little bit of time that he had the baby, Jay and I were able to move out of the shelter and into the new place.

I blew up my bed, took a shower and laid down in my new room.

Yes, MY new room.
It feels so good to say that!