Our Angels

September 30, 2013 1758

            The light shines at the end of the tunnel!  Yesterday was my 42 birthday and as most in adulthood went virtually unnoticed.  I was told “Happy Birthday” a lot, but no more big parties or gifts.  I guess they resume those things at 100 years old. 

            But I did get one very big gift from my God yesterday.  I received an answered prayer.  The angel bringing this answered prayer was my friend Kat.  She has opened her home to us and she has been over accommodating.  Each morning as her family start their day The Goat Man and I sleep on her couch and loveseat.  They get ready in the dark and whisper to each other just so we are not disturbed.  Her generosity and consideration has no limit.

            Last week at the beach with The Goat Man’s sister I was taking pictures of my French manicured toes in the sand just as giddy as a schoolgirl.  It was the one thing that made me feel among the humans all summer.  Homelessness (poverty) takes away a person’s humanity.

            The option of buying sanitary products of my choice that I find comfortable went out the window with my money.  The only thing that matters is cheap.  Always in the back of your mind is the knowledge that “that time of the month” will show up when there is no money to buy products.  The products given to you or bought at the dollar store leave you feeling…well…just icky.

            The several showers a day, if needed, to feel acceptable company (especially to a man) is not available.  The simple hair removal taken for granted, deodorant, shampoos, conditioners, perfumes, lotions, and all of those things we pamper ourselves with slowly back away leaving an in human icky hairy unappealing woman.

            I cannot wait to have my first haircut in over a year.  Everyone thought I was growing it out for a new look, but the truth is when your losing everything financially haircuts become frivolous.  I actually miss my make-up.  I admit I am not an everyday wearer, but in a year I don’t think The Goat Man has seen me in make-up three times.  I am not sure he has ever smelled my favorite perfume.

            Now that I write all of this I wonder why he has even stuck around.  I have felt horribly unappealing, less than human, and well, just icky for what seems like forever.  The things we take for granted are the things we miss the most when they are gone.

            Megan, Mike (and his family), Kat (and her family), and Michelle have all been very instrumental in our survival this summer and I want to thank them one more time.  We have met several people along the way and many strangers have helped us also.  Without Crystal and Dave we would have starved in the Crews Lake Forest and been eaten by the bugs. 

            All of them have been our angels.  The Rope Center and The Good Samaritan Clinic have helped us and treated us like humans.  The churches that have given us food, and anyone else I may have forgotten.  Every smile given when we were finding it hard to cope. 

            However, yesterday Kat was our angel.  She is the connection that lead us to a job that pays room, board, and a salary.  We move in and start next Monday.  We have made to the next step.  We made it without stopping my writing or my school.  We now have medications and a doctor that is addressing all of our needs, including The Goat Man’s teeth.  He has been diagnosed with a gum condition that are requiring all of his teeth to be pulled.

            It is a very painful process for him and I am only allowed a minimal amount of kisses (which I don’t really like, but do understand).  However, he has already said his every day pain and pressure behind his eyes became instantly relieved when the first set of teeth were removed.  He has been suffering with “bad” teeth for a couple years.  We are both very happy The Good Samaritan clinic is able to help him.

            We are counting our blessings and we are not taking anything for granted.  We are gladly moving to the next step and cannot wait to conquer that one as well.  It is not how many times you fall that matters, but how many times you get back up.  The Goat Man and I made it through the first year of a long relationship, the summer of homelessness, and we are more in love every day.  He is my “big sexy man.” I say that with a smile.