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Thanks so much, love. Somehow, someway, we managed to scrape the cash for the power bill together. It was a LONG and hot day, but we managed. It was just a blessing and a miracle. We did not have to succumb to the title loan we were scared of- since we know people that have lost their vehicles. We lost one four years ago :/ as we did not understand the terms. We were in a mild bind and just wanted out of it, and as we all know, thats how they prey on people.

I have four seperate appointments with charities here in town. None of them had emergency funds left, but they are having us come in to be processed and help with the rent and the next months utilities.

I wish I could count on my family, but I cannot. Its something that I am just now accepting. I am not speaking of Mom and Pop, but of everyone else. Everyone that came out of the restaurant debacle unscathed. Anyway, here I go venting again. 

Thanks for the kind replies-

Sarah H. 

I am heartened to see all the responses to Starshine and to others. Its very comforting to know that this forum is here for those dealing with crisis, illness, etc.

In my original post, I was so into explaining the financial issues that I forgot to mention that I cannot work any longer due to health issues. Its a blow to me, since I have always worked, and was really good at what I did. I put my husband through college and had three kids in elementary school. I loved being mom and the provider. Now I just feel lost.

As much as I am glad that this page is here, it hurts my heart that SO many are suffering. What ever happened to the American Dream? Or is that just for some? Sigh...

Sarah 

Thank you so much. Sometimes it helps to hear someone say that. Thank you, love.

-Sarah 

I am a wife and a mother. We, as a family, have found ourselves in struggle after struggle since moving to Dothan, AL to be close to family. I am at the very verge of not being able to deal with another setback. My extended family is one with means- LOTS of means- that look down upon us for not being as successful as they are. There is a reason for that the family will never speak about. My family owned a chain of restaurants when I was young...and when the bottom fell out my father took the brunt to save not only my grandfathers reputation, but the credit of his two younger brothers. Since my father was the eldest he felt this was something that he needed to do.

Well, since then, we have all suffered. Except for my grandfather, my uncles and their kids. My college fund was significant and I was a bright kid that was in gifted classes with my choice of schools. I had to go to school only when we could afford it- and no one in my family offered to help me. My car was even sold, after a minor fender bender to help my father pay his back taxes.

Its years later and I am in distress with my three boys and my husband. The economy hit us in the gut...and this started several years ago.

At this time, my husband is desperately looking for work and of course, its hard. He is 39 and is being passed over for younger workers even though he went back to school in 2003 and graduated with the degree that my family REQUIRED for him to be taken seriously. See, my cousins and my uncles all have bachelors, masters, and doctorates. We are not WORTH helping because they think that somehow we deserve this.

How easily they forget that they would not have what they have had my father and myself not given up so much so that they might prosper.

I will have my power cut off on Tuesday. I have to pay it tomorrow. My rent has not been paid. We have a pre paid cell that is our only phone. We gave up cable and internet 6 months ago- I am several blocks from home at my mothers using her laptop as I often find myself doing. We are frugal, smart, good people. I have 15 year old twins that start school tomorrow that cannot even enjoy that because they will wonder all day if the power will be off tuesday. I beg them to be kids, to let me and Daddy take care of it...but I have been blessed with big hearted and wonderful kids. I have tried to hide this from them but cannot...they just know when something is wrong. I wish that I could pay my bills. I certainly do not want to be in this situation, I wish that I wasn't. I wish my family would please just HELP us. I hear too much that "they don't OWE you anything" from my conservative family but I am not saying that they do.  I just wish that they could find it in their hearts to help. They love my kids- I cannot understand why they would want them in an apartment with no power. I mean, this is lower Alabama, the heat is awful.

I don't want to complain...and I don't want handouts. I just simply need help. We wish and hope and pray that maybe, just maybe there is a program that helps decent people get back on their feet. This has taken the wind out of our sails. We are emotionally drained- and it feels like I am walking with cement on my body. Or like trying to breathe underwater. I don't know. I just need help and need a place to vent. I am sorry y'all. I just needed to talk.

Thanks to anyone that is listening,

Sarah H.