You have nothing to lose. Now what?

One day, I became homeless.  My greatest fear came true.  In 2000, I moved to a new town.   I was working in an exclusive ladies wear shoppe, selling $200 blouses to rich ladies.  A few weeks later,  I suffered 2 mini-strokes and could hardly  stand up or speak.  My mind was blank..  The dr. took away my driver's license.  I had to sell my car.   I could not pay my bills or care for myself.  My family did little  to help, fearing they would be stuck with an invalid.  One relative  stored all my belongings in their 3-car garage. My  out-of-town friends were my angels and gave me moral, spiritual support by phone,  and letters and cards with a few dollars tucked inside. 

I called the YWCA 'Women in Transition''who got me a spot in a woman's shelter.  I laughed when the staff took me to the basement 's huge racks of donated clothing.that I could choose from, a long way from the fancy shoppe I had been working in.   The first day  at the shelter, I  said to myself, "I am here to learn a lesson, I am not sure what it is, but I will take the lesson."

I was lucky to meet the most fascinating people there (in my 4 month stay), not anyone I would have  chosen  in my previous life.  The YWCA helped me  to recover and re-establish myself . But  it took over 2 yrs. to get an MRI and proper diagnosis and receive disablity benefits.

I am very grateful for the experience, and now volunteer each week as kitchen help at the local YWCA women's shelter.  The women there  especially like my soups  and have named me The Soup Godess ;>) 

This was a remarkable period in my life and I learned so much about what really is of value in life, and that you can recover from your darkest moments... And to be kinder. This quote is one of my favourites:

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

-Philo