Thank you for your beautiful pictures.

I'm in a similar situation. I'm somewhat homeless at the moment. I'm staying at my father's old home (my abuser). He's trying to sell it, he's had problems with his mortgage. Someone already came and looked at the house and took pictures like two months ago. He decided to stop paying for anything since his girlfriend gave him the key to her house about 8 months ago, even though I paid him rent, he just took that for himself. So, I've been trying to get into public housing for a year and hopefully after this appointment next week something will happen.

This is not punishment, it's just an obstacle. They come out of nowhere in our lives to make us able to appreciate our blessings.... When we're faced with these kinds of situations and we have kids to take care of, and we're their only caretakers, we can feel like the whole world is against us. Sometimes I wondered, maybe I should have stayed with my kidnapper, at least I'd have a place to stay, maybe a meal once a day, wouldn't have to worry about money....No, there's no way I could have had my son there...No place for my son to be....You should not have stayed with your abuser! Think about your kids, you all are so much better off in poverty than staying with an abuser. Your kids will thank you one day.

I know that things will turn out for us, because there are people that do care. There's at least one person in this world, that would never allow us to be on the street. But even so, if you do go to a shelter, you will be taken care of and they could get you into housing fast. I know it's scary, but that's only because it's unformaliar. Being with the abuser was formaliar and that's why you think it would be more comfortable. You're a good mother. You're protecting your kids. Don't worry, somehow things will work out. You can go to a church for help, you could call a helpline. There are places that can help you pay your bills or rent when you can't. The one in my city is called the community center. There's so many resources out there that can help you, but you have to search for them. You can get so far once you realize that the limitations are only in your mind. Good luck to you and keep your head up, "things are gonna get easier".