So just before New Year’s, I wrote this post, about how I wanted to help families who had found themselves in a tough financial situation not just during the holidays, but all year long.
And then not long after that, I received a message on the blog Facebook page.
It was from a girl who I called “Lost”, who was living in a very unhealthy marriage and feeling pretty hopeless because she couldn’t find the strength to get herself out of it.
I responded to her message in this post, and the feedback from readers was amazing.
Lost received so much support and compassion and understanding from so many people.
And I know there were readers who wanted to help but weren’t sure how they could.
I’ve been in contact with Lost since that first post. Every day.
She’s a pretty amazing young woman.
I want to thank you all for your overwhelming response.
Because you all helped to give her the strength to make a HUGE and extremely difficult and scary but very healthy choice for her boys and herself.
And she has taken steps to get herself out of that very unhealthy relationship.
I am so proud of her.
And so, I immediately thought of that post I had written.
I don’t know how the families will be chosen or exactly how we will help them out or how the funds/gifts/meals will be collected. But what I do know is that I’m going do my best to keep the spirit of Christmas alive all year long.
Well, the first opportunity has presented itself.
Lost told me I could share her first name.
It’s Patty.
I told her I wanted to help her, but I didn’t really tell her what I had planned.
I want to help give Patty a new beginning.
I want to help set her up for success.
I want to help give those two little boys and Patty a start toward the life they deserve.
So I’ve set up a Go Fund Me page for her (you may need to download the GoFundMe app to view the campaign on your phone).
She’ll need help with childcare and food and clothes and diapers and securing a place to live and lots of other stuff until she finds employment.
If you’d like to contribute, if you’ve been in her situation, if you’ve ever needed help and had no idea how you would get it, if you’d like to help keep the Christmas spirit alive, click below, or click THIS LINK
(If you’d like to contribute in another way, please contact me at susie@not-your-average-mom.com).
And if you can’t contribute financially, you can contribute by sharing this page.
Let’s help Patty and her boys continue to move toward the future they all deserve!
What a beautiful story of one woman reaching out to you and you and your community reaching back! So awesome <3
I love this! How one person feeling so alone and opening herself up to another person then the snowball of women working together and what we can accomplish! Awesomeness….I have so been in her shoes and know the self-doubt but she will never regret this choice to live a happier life 🙂
Thanks for kick starting this – I have made a donation. Please keep us posted in a month or two. Best wishes, and a heartfelt congratulations to Patty and her boys at an exciting time.
🙂 I will be forever grateful to you ladies (and maybe men) Thank you from the BOTTOM of my heart.
Yes, at least one of the donations was from a man. My father was an alcoholic and very abusive towards my mother, both physically and emotionally (and to us kids too). Around 10 years ago she hit bottom and couldn’t take his abuse anymore and made the decision to leave him but didn’t have any money. Luckily I was an adult then and doing very well, so I was able to loan her $10,000 to start her new life. Being able to give her that money was one of the greatest joys of my life. My mother has absolutely thrived since she left my father, and is now probably one of the happiest people I know. My only regret is that she didn’t leave him sooner.
So I congratulate you on your decision and wish you the best in your new life!
PS One other thing….you are hot! After hearing you describe yourself I was shocked when I saw how attractive you were in that picture. Don’t be so down on yourself!
Kevin. Thank you. Thank you so much. For helping your mother. For helping me. In mind every few minutes I still think he’ll change. We’ll be happy. Things will smooth over. And then I remember all the bullshit. And now. Knowing that I’m not alone. That people want to and can help me I realize I should have reached out a LONG time ago. Go give your mama a hug for me. 🙂
And thank you….I’ve been called quite a lot but I do believe you’re the first stranger to extend that comment! Way to make my day!!
When I get my life back together I will pay this forward in any way that I can. But for now me saying thank you to everyone a million times will have to do.
Thank you so much for helping this girl. If I ever encounter someone else who is in an unhealthy relationship, I will surely guide them to this page. Lost does such a good service for women. I am totally against any form of spousal abuse on either side. Thank you.