I am now 51 years old, and I’m happy that I have made it this far.

This is not exactly a story about my battle with unstable housing, but I need to write about it anyway.

I’m calling it “the little incident.” 

I was looking out for a friend. He is an older guy, and sometimes needs extra help to do normal life. We were in his house when the door burst open. Three men rushed in with great violence. They came with guns, threatening to kill us if we didn’t give them money and valuables.

I was scared out of my mind, laying on the floor, praying and begging them not to kill me, not knowing if I was going to live or die.

My friend did not have anything to give them, so hit him in the head until there was blood everywhere. Then they turned to me. They took my money, my phone, my pocketbook with my ID and all my personal things I had in it.

Thankfully they didn’t hurt me.

Then they left.

This incident has been a big setback. I was saving money for a steady place to sleep, and I had hundreds of dollars tucked away.

I’m also sad whenever I think about it. I don’t want to be a victim. But I was a victim. I do thank God that I’m still here. That was three days before my birthday, so I thank God again that I made it to my birthday.

Now… Well, now I’m saving for a place again.

I know as long as I work hard at it, I will be successful. I will accomplish what I want and need. Setbacks happen, but as long as I wake for another day there is always hope.

So I am thankful for today. I am thankful for my health, for any bed to sleep in, and that I am able to take a bath daily. I am so thankful that I am making money through Speak Up to move forward with my goals.

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