Age: 41-50

#classof2020jipped

We had issues with my kid’s senior year activities. His school does quite a bit for seniors during the spring semester. He missed prom, they postponed and had a crappy graduation ceremony, and they were unable to do their after graduation party referred to as Project Graduation. We had to do a “drive-thru” graduation ceremony. It was so hard on him. However, the counselors did call all the students to check on them throughout the rest of the semester. He senior speech was chosen to be used in their online graduation memoriam, and it was chosen for the statewide senior recognition.

Survive

It is difficult times for all because many people dying.I have my mother with me and I have to give her support and take care of her.Praying for all that God helped us.

My life in the struggle

My struggles started when I lost my child on October 1,2019, my world was turned upside down then this pandemic it does not make anything better my son contracted the COVID-19 and also my cousin who I’m currently living with so it was real scary not knowing what to expect but I prayed and asked God to give me the strength to go through what this pandemic has to offer. Let me back up a little when I lost my daughter I behaved in a lot of my bills .

My testimony

well I really don’t know where to start. In March I was laid off do to corona… totally devastated. My son and I were in a world of trouble. In May I found out had cancerous cells on my cervix, also had a special procedure to stop the growth (painful), also in May I suffered 2nd degree burns in my back. In June I suffered a stroke,and it affected my right side slightly. Neurologist suggested I shouldn’t drive until further notice. While in the pandemic and me being in the hospital, my son who suffers from mental illness, attempted suicide again (was baker act once). July and August after many different tests and scans doctors found spots on my brain. I started losing my faith and hope. I was scared to go to the doctor for follow ups. September went in for a routine check up ,doc found a spot on my body… he began treatment with different meds and creams, in which none worked. We(doc&I) decided surgery would be better for me to get rid of this aggravating and oozing spot. I ended up having surgery late October. When the results came back it was skin cancer. It’s called Squamous carcinoma. By the grace of God doc was able to remove it all during surgery. In November I was diagnosed with Neuropathy in both legs. Now that were in December I pray daily that whenever I go to my specialist and neurologist that all test from here on out are NEGATIVE… I never in a million years imagined that things like I explained in the message would actually happen to me. It’s been difficult but I make it look sweet for the sake of my son. I live off of $140 . God is still Good and I still have faith… I know for a fact that he’ll make a way out of no way P.S…. I don’t want pity from anyone God has given me all these tests for my testimony. I could use some help. If I’m not chosen ,I pray the family that is appreciates it. Thank you for your listening ears.

Living for my sister

post covid my sister was incarcerated and left her 4 kids out in the world im a braider so business got slow and unfortunately I caught covid19 still while tryin to maintain n care for my nieces and nephews things got really hard but couldn’t loose hope and through prayer and family help we made it threw.

Trust

My name is Barbara my 3 children and I have Asthma. My self and 10 year old have chronic asthma. This started for us March 23,2020. Our lives will be changed forever. My job closed its door for a few weeks. I said what would I do now. On top of that We have breathing issues that we go through already sometimes on a daily basis. Due to covid which affects people with asthma. We now have been subject to wear masks and isolate ourselves from our family as well as friends. I started getting panic attacks which have never happened before. I felt scared to leave my home. Fear was taking over. My girls 15 year old and 10 year old started getting panic attacks. In the middle of the night my 15 year old Priscilla would just start crying could not take being closed in our home she could not sleep. We had not seen the streets in weeks except for looking outside the windows. On top of what was already going on a cousin of mine died due to covid she was 44 years old. Mother of 3 children she worked for transit. Hearing people around me getting sick some of my church family getting covid. It hit to close to home. I woke up one night and said enough is enough fear will not control me or my home. I Started praying and asking God to remove any fear I have allowed in my mind out. Out in the name of Jesus. Fear cannot and will not have control over me or my children. For we belong to an Almighty POWERFUL GOD.I had to pray it out. Praise and worship more than ever. Reminding my children that God is in control of it all. Of our lives. He is our provider. The air we breathe. I had to take a stand in my home. I was not alone God was right there. Phil 4 :13 I can do ALL things with CHRIST who strengthen me. I will not be afraid. Peace trust and believe. My children first day out was when I heard a food pantry needed volunteers .I said to myself this is God opening the door for you to be of help and step out in faith knowing God will cover me and my home. We prayed and trusted God and went. So many families in need. People who have lost their jobs. Its real. My 17 year old Jeremias said mom this church is full of love. Pastor Cobb and Lady lisa are amazing I said to him. I cried with them in the car. This was just a way of God reminded me he got it all.

The Helper Needs Help

For me COVID-19 has been one of those life events that creeps in slowly, unaware of the toll it will take until the damage has been done. I am one of those people that looks out for others and takes care of everyone else before I take care of myself. This global pandemic has taught me that behaviors like that take the largest toll because you don’t see the consequences until they’re upon you. In March, at the beginning of quarantine my first priority were my mom & my son. My son was quarantined at home with me and my mother lives across the street. She’s 77 years old, a 2 time cancer survivor that’s on chemo meds that have her immune system compromised. She still works as a hairdresser but my brother and I made the decision to isolate her for her safety. We also decided to take over her household expenses so that she wouldn’t be worried about rushing back to her salon which was ordered closed anyway. Shortly after that, in early April, I took in a former student that was home from college for quarantine and has a strained relationship with her mother. It didn’t take long before I saw a significant increase in my household expenses; utilities & groceries increased greatly. Then, from the additional wear & tear, household items began to give out. First my mother’s air conditioner, then my own. Next a water pipe exploded in my mother’s bathroom causing a flood and her refrigerator conked out too. My brother was soon unable to contribute anymore as his car and his wife’s care needed major repairs. I still didn’t worry as I was on top of all those additional expenses at first but then they just continued to mount month after month. I asked for a reprieve from my mortgage company but by the time the was period was finished, the expenses had piled up and my savings had been depleted. So fast forward to now, I’m currently behind on my mortgage for the month of August ($1280) and it’s time to pay September’s mortgage too. I have a past due FPL bill in the amount of $743.37 as I have only been paying the past due amount to keep afloat. I realize that there are so many others that are struggling out there but I too have found myself in the position of hardship. I hesitated to even submit this story but I figured it may resonate with someone else out there that is the helper who needs help during these very trying times.