Thank you, Patty. It has been challenging but the biggest reason I have made it where I am now, is because of family and a friend in the US who happened to be there at a time we most needed help. This man got us out of welfare, got me into University , and bought us the home we are now selling. He was very generous, but, it came with an emotional price. Much of western society is driven by consumerism. That is our culture. This man fit the cultural identity to a Tee. He knew he had money and I was a woman in need. Once he helped me and my boys, he had expectations tied to it. He didn't like an independent woman. He needs to be needed. When I began to show signs of financial independence, he began to manipulate me. So....while I am grateful to him for giving me the opportunities he did, I had to end the relationship on an unfortunate note. Now, I am almost finished my University and have this home up for sale. I am ready to start anew, but, where I go from here regarding men.....I don't know.

Lori