Homeless? We’re not Homeless. We’re ‘housing challenged’
Me: 38 years old, 15 days separated, mother of the three year old King of Everything. Oh, did I mention, I’m getting a divorce? I’m the newly single mother of a little boy? I’m overwhelmed? Right. Just checking.
The city of Washington, DC would technically call us homeless: NFA (No Fixed Address). I prefer to think of our situation as housing challenged. I don’t have the credit rating, the cash, or the connections to luck into anything available, affordable, what have you. I can’t even apply for aid yet because I can’t prove any income. Apparently, not making a dime doesn’t qualify you for help. Go figure. Besides, even if I found a place tomorrow, what would we do with it? We have no furniture. We flew back to DC from the UAE on the 21st of September with four suitcases and $400 to our names. Friends, and friends of friends, are putting us up until the 1st of November. I’m winging it after that. On the plus side of the scale: the kid has more winter clothes than I know what to do with, donated by kind mothers who have heard of our erm… difficulties. Let’s face it, I can’t afford to buy myself winter clothes. We’ve been living for two years in the desert; I don’t own any winter clothes! But the beauty of working for a temp agency is that I can wear the same three outfits over and over again. I just can’t accept any assignments that last more than three days.
How’d we end up here? How, for that matter, did we end up in the UAE? How are we doing? How on earth will we cope? I’m not quite sure of the answers to all those questions (there are some days I’m not sure of my own name, I’m so pressed), but I’ve got some ideas on how to get by. Stick around. I’ll let you know how everything turns out.
My face is breaking out. I tell myself that it’s okay, that the acne gives my face the illusion of youth. Maybe I can fool Time itself and steal back ten years of my life. No? Rats.
So here I am, staring at the big, scary blank where my Future once was writ large. This is where I start to fill it in.
Tags: divorce-101
12 opinions for Homeless? We’re not Homeless. We’re ‘housing challenged’
Melissa
Oct 7, 2006 at 5:32 am
be strong
Mark
Oct 7, 2006 at 10:12 am
Hey…hang in there. Everything in this life happens for some king of reason. I’ve been through a divorce before, and I kept telling myself if I didn’t go through the misery of the marriage and the ultimate end of it, that I wouldn’t have met and come to know some of the people who I met as a result, including my son. Things will improve, and you’ll be better for it. Good luck to you…take care.
laura
Oct 7, 2006 at 10:48 am
Christina,
sounds like an amazing and complicated journey you are in the midst of. Good luck to you. I am sending tons of positive thoughts your way.
William
Oct 8, 2006 at 9:10 am
Interesting idea here for a blog. Definately got me hooked from the beginning. By the way, welcome to b5, and glad to have you aboard too.
christina
Oct 8, 2006 at 9:32 pm
Thanks for the warm welcome, all!
It’s good to be here. I grin mischeiviously, wonder how to spell that word, and announce I’m making lemonade.
Gayla
Oct 12, 2006 at 10:26 am
Keep your chin up. I divorced when my twin boys were 4. It was a struggle, but the rewards are unbelievable. The father wasn’t in the picture which means I can look at the great kids I have and know WE did it on OUR own :)
I’ll be keeping an eye on ya. If you need to lean on someone that’s been there done that, give me a shout any time.
christina
Oct 12, 2006 at 10:30 am
Thanks, Gayla! You’re bookmarked an in my emotional speed dial. Twins. GO YOU!
Kerri
Oct 13, 2006 at 5:33 pm
Welcome, Christina! Wow, I love your writing. I can tell I’ll be visiting here tons. Hoping the absolute best for you and your little king.
christina
Oct 13, 2006 at 10:08 pm
Thank you Kerri. It’s so good to be here. We’re going to be just fine.
Wendy
Jan 25, 2007 at 4:33 pm
I really like this site. It is refreshing to see there are people just like me.
My son is 10 now , but the memories of how lonley, and frustrating and guilt ridden those first few days and months are, are still stinging.
christina
Jan 25, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Wendy, please stick around. We could all use some help now and then, and knowing women who have survived this pain, this fury, this betrayal, and made lives for themselves full of laughter and right-ness is inspiring to those of us farther down the ladder.
Welcome!
Wendy
Jan 26, 2007 at 11:26 am
Thank you.
Many of you already seem to know that the joy is in the children. My son and I are very close. I believe he has had a one on one he may not have otherwise had. I remember my parents, who I prayed would divorce, being constantly preoccupied with their own relationship. My mother on the phone with her sisters complaining about my father. My father always with one foot out the door.
No one took the time to explain some of the more human aspects of life. My son is more understanding and tolerant than I was at 10, because we are able to talk about things in a way my parents were too distracted to.
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