I Want My Old Life Back

My life was great. I had a lot of fun with the kids in my neighborhood, and my best friend lived right next door. Then things started changing. My parents started arguing more and more; something about a “more cage”. Then my father was home everyday; he said something about laying off for a while. Then I noticed that we didn’t have the really good fruit that we used to have after dinner, and sometimes my parents didn’t eat at all.

Then . . . we left. We left the really cool princess ceiling fan in my room, and the swing set in my yard. And we left my best friend next door. We stayed with my cousins for a little while, then we got an apartment. Now I’m sleeping in the same bedroom as mom and dad. We drove by my old house yesterday, and there was another kid swinging on my swing set with my best friend. I really miss her. I miss everything about my old life.

In most cases, after a major financial or health-related setback, it takes a long time for a family to get back to where they were in life. And the perspective of a child is vastly different from that of an adult. 

The programs providing basic needs in our neighborhoods are seeing unprecedented numbers of new families coming through their doors. An increase of 40% is not uncommon for most to report. The Take Five to Give 5 campaign will send 100% of your donation to these organizations that are meeting basic needs for families that find themselves uprooted.

Whatever amount you can give will help change lives. Tell five friends. Use your network, share the stories, and ask them to give to the campaign. Your gift multiplies with every person you connect with.