|
Post by PolarsStepdad on Aug 20, 2024 18:21:23 GMT -5
Every now and then I get a well deserved kick in the guts. This morning I was driving to work a couple minutes later than normal. Not a big deal I've left later than this morning and got there on time. But as I reached the end of one road that I turn on to the hiway I noticed a mother walking two children one of whom looked to be about the same age as my daughter (7)to the bus stop. The location was a pretty seedy hotel
I've seen the woman before and never really thought much about it but seeing those kids and the realization they were living in the motel just hit me pretty hard. Who am I to ever complain about anything? I have a home. I have transportation. I have an extremely good job. And I am far better off than I deserve.
I know how cruel kids can be and I felt awful for that little girl. Because the same bus drives through a very nice neighborhood before stopping there. I hope she has friends. I hope somebody understands at a young and tender age that we are not our possessions and our circumstances don't have to define us.
Be thankful folks. Be humble. And be kind. Most folks are fighting battles we have no idea about
|
|
|
Post by ferris1248 on Aug 20, 2024 19:06:45 GMT -5
Well said sir.
|
|
|
Post by mackeralsnatcher on Aug 20, 2024 19:07:43 GMT -5
Very insightful OX. It's like you want to save the world but know you cant and that sucks big time.
|
|
|
Post by illinoisfisherman on Aug 20, 2024 19:29:40 GMT -5
Good thoughts and definitely a great heart.
Makes me want to help them as I’m sure you do
Questions I would be asking myself- why are they living there? If I could just help by getting the parent or parents a job? Just how can I help?
I would be losing sleep over that.
Yes, we need to count our blessings. There are so many people in bad shape.
Sorry for rattling on
|
|
|
Post by whitebacon on Aug 20, 2024 21:20:58 GMT -5
Every now and then I get a well deserved kick in the guts. This morning I was driving to work a couple minutes later than normal. Not a big deal I've left later than this morning and got there on time. But as I reached the end of one road that I turn on to the hiway I noticed a mother walking two children one of whom looked to be about the same age as my daughter (7)to the bus stop. The location was a pretty seedy hotel I've seen the woman before and never really thought much about it but seeing those kids and the realization they were living in the motel just hit me pretty hard. Who am I to ever complain about anything? I have a home. I have transportation. I have an extremely good job. And I am far better off than I deserve. I know how cruel kids can be and I felt awful for that little girl. Because the same bus drives through a very nice neighborhood before stopping there. I hope she has friends. I hope somebody understands at a young and tender age that we are not our possessions and our circumstances don't have to define us. Be thankful folks. Be humble. And be kind. Most folks are fighting battles we have no idea about To agree with all of you, this story hurts me. Like you, I have no idea about the circumstances. Breaks my heart. Like my buddy below, I lose sleep over these stories.
|
|
|
Post by PolarsStepdad on Aug 20, 2024 21:59:14 GMT -5
Very insightful OX. It's like you want to save the world but know you cant and that sucks big time. Especially the kids. I'm a sucker for the damn kids 😭😭😭😭😭
|
|
|
Post by PolarsStepdad on Aug 20, 2024 22:00:27 GMT -5
Good thoughts and definitely a great heart. Makes me want to help them as I’m sure you do Questions I would be asking myself- why are they living there? If I could just help by getting the parent or parents a job? Just how can I help? I would be losing sleep over that. Yes, we need to count our blessings. There are so many people in bad shape. Sorry for rattling on It has definitely stuck with me today.
|
|
|
Post by illinoisfisherman on Aug 20, 2024 22:03:04 GMT -5
Well if you figure out a way to help I would be happy to donate towards helping them
|
|
|
Post by PolarsStepdad on Aug 20, 2024 22:15:46 GMT -5
Well if you figure out a way to help I would be happy to donate towards helping them The more I think about it the more it depresses me. I'd like to save the world ..... Thy Kingdom come indeed
|
|
|
Post by illinoisfisherman on Aug 20, 2024 23:14:41 GMT -5
Do you realize how many people just don’t care? How many people wouldn’t even notice the situation?
You are blessed to have a good heart. Not too many people have the character to feel for others as you do.
If no one was ever bothered by things like this the world would be a completely heartless place.
Although it will bother you you are indeed a special person to have a kind and caring soul. Follow your heart, always.
|
|
|
Post by tonyroma on Aug 20, 2024 23:46:41 GMT -5
The Florida Project- very good independent film about people that end up living in hotels. Set in Kissimmee, Fl. An area I know well.
|
|
|
Post by richm on Aug 21, 2024 6:42:21 GMT -5
You-all have good hearts. The only thing here is the jumping to conclusions.
I'm missing the back story on this. We see 2 kids who seems to be living in a hotel yet are going to school. The mother might be living there at $200/week vs paying $1,600-$2,400/month for an apartment with just as seedy neighbors, only a nicer building exterior.
I've had a couple downturns in life and could have ended up living in a hotel or the woods but was able to fall back on my folks and had a cheap place to stay thattaway.
Kinda willing to give the mother some grace and say she's doing what she can and kids are getting all of her love as they navigate this stage of life together. Would need to hear the mother's story before I felt the need to buy or build them a house. That would result in more "projects" if all we did is give folks stuff all the time. Let them work their way if they can and become better people as opposed to just being handed stuff and not growing from adversity.
At work we help support a school in Eatonville FL - small historic black town. Like 40 kids who live in a hotel who needed uniforms - we took up some donations and the company fille din the gaps to get the 40 kids 2 school uniforms. We do fund raiser for school supplies too.
|
|
|
Post by bswiv on Aug 21, 2024 6:43:43 GMT -5
Much to be said for a reality check now and again.....very much.......
|
|
|
Post by cadman on Aug 21, 2024 7:20:48 GMT -5
It could be the city or some charity that owns the motel and turned into apartments for the homeless. There are several around Gainesville and the city just bought a motel to convert to add more places. There is even one dedicated to veterans.
My first thought is where is the father? If he ain't dead, but a deadbeat, they need to find his ass and put him to work supporting those kids. Mom may have a job and starting over. This hopefully is just a transitional period for her.
The fact is there are 1000s of people in the same situation and you can't save all of them. Dropping $100 or $1000 in her hands probably won't change anything for her. If she wants a job, there are plenty of resources to help her. Hopefully, she will pull herself up and get her kids out of that situation. Many others have done it before her. But, unless you plan on raising those kids, getting involved is a bad idea.
We need to change our laws regarding deadbeat dads. These guys find under-the-table jobs or switch jobs as soon as the courts find they are employed to avoid paying child support and helping the mother. Move out of state in hopes they can't be found. Some are just plain drunks or drug users. We need to put ankle monitors on them and force them to get jobs or go to work farms where they work and the money is sent to the kids. The courts would scream it is cruel punishment, but having kids and abandoning them is just as cruel, in my opinion.
I hate sperm donors who won't take care of their kids.
|
|
|
Post by madm002 on Aug 21, 2024 8:16:06 GMT -5
This is more common than you think in many places unfortunately. I agree with CAD above about deadbeat dads. Volunteering with an local organization that helps those families is a good way to start.
|
|