Life and Struggles. Part 1

byLEILANIM1

293 followers

8 years ago

Hello my fellow WA family, I would like to start off by saying I am very happy to have joined the WA. I haven't done much with the program thus far, I have so many NIche I don't know which one I want to really focus on.

Just thought I would share a little on some of my thoughts on the way the world has become. I am a Native New Yorker single mom of a 27 yr. old daughter Stacey. She's my rock and everything and everyday I live for her. I was born in Brooklyn,in between Brookyln and Harlem. We even lived in Far Rockaway Queens, Edgemere Projects. then we moved to Spansh Harlem a.k.a El Barrio and lived in the Boogie Down Bronx as I became an adult raising my daughter I lived in the Bronx, as the times started to change in the schools. I prayed everyday to my almighty God, Please put me where you want us and they I moved here to IL. from New York and I have done this back and forth a few times over we . They say 3 times a charm, well i am back in IL. I went back home 3 yrs ago to see if I can start life and make it happen. O my.. was the 1st thing I said the very 1st day I landed. The people have become more rude than ever. I tell you after 911, it changed the world the people like I can remember walking out to go to work and people saying GM. Have a nice day.. Man listen you don't even get good customer service when going to fast food restaurants and anywhere where you spending your money. I'm like I remember that being a major part of the job. The prices are sky rocket.. for a 1 bedroom running you over 1,000 a month, your Metro card to get you back and forth 60.00 for a two week pass to ride the iron horse which that has become a shelter for the homeless. I have seen more homeless in my pass years living in NY but not the way it is now. You have families living under the bridges because the shelters are too crowd or not safe.

I'm not a shame to say that my daughter and myself went into a shelter but that was back in the days, not saying it wasn't dirty and still not all that safe. I tell you God has always blessed me even through my tough times. When I went into the system I had to go to an assortment center for 10 days before being placed into a shelter. I had to complete workshops as part of the process. The rooms was smaller than a cardboard box with a bunk bed. Roaches, Rats just plain old nasty. This shelter was in Jamaica Queens, I was at those workshops I tell you I completed those workshops in less than 5 days. The staff was laughing at me. .They would say " we need more people like you that's about her business" I told them I want out.. LOL. When they called my name the day we were transferred not knowing what we was about to face, from the stories you hear and what we just came from. I'm praying to God I'm letting you take this wheel and guide me and my baby through this transition quick and safely. As the van turns the corner and I seen the building I am praying this will be where we will lay our heads during this journey.

Yes, sure enough I couldn't make it up, when they called name I looked at my daughter and said we are going to be alright. My daughter at the time was 4 years old. I thank God all the way until we opened the door to the room. First you had the keys to your room, that was a plus showed me we have privacy, next open the door clean as a whistle , two twin beds, a little kitchen area with a small table and the last thing I looked for was the bathroom and yes.. we have our own bathroom. Then I looked on the bed there was two boxes. I was like WOW. everything possible to start your new home. From ironing boards to soap for your laundry, sheets and a lot more. I sat my baby down and said this is going to be our home for a little while. My girl knew I have always been very honest with my daughter I never sugar coat life as well because we know darn well it ain't nothing sweet about the struggles in life.

We were in the shelter less than a year we were in our apartment . They always never go to look for an apartment in the winter and at night time. I was close to everything stores, hospitals and the subway. I was pretty luck so I thought until I saw it for myself. Good lord I felt like the night of the living dead. At this point I just had to make the best of it being that I had to stay in that apartment for 2 years then my voucher turned into a Section Certificate where it allowed me to move to any state. It was well worth it. After the 2 years, we moved again just two train stops. My apartment was my very own Penn House on the 5th floor no elevator but I had the 3 corners of the building just imagine having to put up 13 sets of curtains. I had a total of 3 windows and it was a 3 bedroom for just 75.00 more than I was paying at my last apartment.

The moral of my journey is that we need to be patience and know that God will not let you down, we want him to help us when we want him. It just doesn't work that way. Always think positive and keep those that want to see you down leave them out of your circle.

Until WA we meet again, God Bless and keep a smile on your face even when things are not looking good, talk to him he is listening all the time, we just need to show him that we trust in him and allow him to take the wheel. On that note..... much love!!!!! Leilani