Thursday, October 13, 2011

Irene has a new owner

Irene found her owner, I gave her to a local homeless woman.

The student council is selling pizza tickets as a fund raiser. The ticket gives the person a large pizza and 12 wings. We split the amount with them so that they can take their trip at the end of the year. We don't make money off of this, but what we do get mostly covers the cost of the food.

Tonight someone redeemed the wing portion of the ticket, she got a pizza earlier in the week. She was really late picking them up and when she got here, she said he had to walk because she couldn't get a ride. I was about to run to the grocery store so i offered her a ride home.

The trip home was eyeopening. She was a woman about my age and she lives in a van. It doesn't run so she doesn't have heat. Shes waiting for disability, but for now she makes a little money cleaning houses and she gets food stamps. She wasn't drunk or high, she was a very polite, christian woman who just cant get a job and has to live in a van. She had the fundraiser ticket because her pastor gave it to her.

I dropped her off and when i went to back out of the dead end street she "lives" on, i turned around and there was Irene in a laundry basket still waiting for me to mail her... I stopped, called her back and gave the quilt to her. I told her i made it and she needed it more than where i was sending it to and i wanted her to have it.

I am counting my blessings at the same time. I hadn't sent Irene yet because honestly, i haven't had money for the postage. Money is tight, really really tight for us right now, we are trying to open another store, just paid off a huge tax bill. Its been really depressing to not be able to do what i want when i want, like buy quilt batting to finish the quilts, or go to the movies. In the long run, it will be worth it because we will get thru this and we will have accomplished the goals but sometimes the struggle is tough.

But at least i have a roof over my head, i always have food to eat and a place to cook it, i have people who love me who if a van was my only option, they would take me in and help me out. Doing without right now isn't so bad after all.

Irene found a home, even if the home is a van.

5 comments:

Molly said...

That just made me cry. I was just have a little pity party for myself because of some money (and life) issues and this just made so thankful that I have a warm place to sleep tonight and a close family. I'm so glad Irene will be warming that woman who is down on her luck. You've inspired me.

Molly said...

Oops! Forgot to add that I'm loving your new look!

Ladybug said...

I found your post very touching. It is clear you have a big heart and really love the people around you. Good luck with your business plans and thank you for sharing your wonderful act of kindness. In a world where so many bad things happen it's nice to know that people like yourself are still working to brighten the lives of others.

Linda C said...

very good of you, Tamara. Doing just what the Bible tells us to do, care for those who need it.

Quilted Cupcake said...

Wow. What a great story. I too have tears in my eyes. God bless you for having such a caring heart!