Just gonna dream out loud here for a minute. I dream of time together without masks or distance. Closeness without fear or hand sanitizing. We all just need a hug. 

I am so burnt out from it all. I have faith that we’re turning a corner and heading toward better days, but wowza, stubborn pride isn’t gonna concede no way no how. There is this notion that you can’t trust change. I beg to differ. I feel more calm and secure in change. I understand this is not the norm for most, but I argue that if we do not allow change in our world we forfeit our imagination of how much better life can be. 

Housing has been on my mind a lot lately. The hubs and I are in this conundrum of should we stay or should we go? We want to stay in our city, but we can’t afford to buy here. I feel guilty for even dreaming of more when I see so many of our people sleeping on the street. There is a snobbish attitude when it comes to housing. Our society makes it so hard to secure such a basic human right. There should be no requirements to have shelter. Like my kids say, “that don’t make no sense.” 

Getting pre-approved has a checklist, and even after you hit the mark there are incidentals, closing costs and fees that you have to budget for. These types of red-lining and policy’s marginalize so many of our citizens leaving them unable to provide for their families and thrive in their communities. Homelessness is national disgrace and the solutions should not be so difficult to access. Whether it is temporary, permanent, renting or owning all people deserve the right to fair and safe housing.

My desire to own a house is to be able to open my doors and give a place of belonging to others. In the movie Forest Gump his mama shared her home with people needing a place to stay. I envision myself like that. I dream of a home where my nieces and nephews can live with us when it comes time for college. Where my parents and mother-in-law can live and visit our family in comfort. Somewhere to cook and share meals together. My great grandmother turned her home in Pennsylvania into a rest home for seniors. She used her skills as a homemaker to take care of others. Mabel Amelia was a woman of action.  

When I had my sons we were in between housing. Since they were premature we were lucky enough to be able to stay at Ronald McDonald House (Big Mac’s make a Big Impact for families). www.rmhc.org  In fact, staying in this beautiful home and sharing our vulnerabilities with other families was one of the most profound experiences in my life. I loved it so much and I will always be grateful. 

The concept of sharing a space and committing to the well-being of everyone is humanity at its best. We can do way more of that. 

I get a lot of input about what we should do, what our family deserves, the low interest rates we need to take advantage of, but honestly we have everything we need and want right here and now. I am blessed to have shelter in a safe neighborhood where I know my neighbors and feel the kindness of others on a daily basis. I’m surrounded by natural beauty and warmth just having my family together during this time of uncertainty. I can live with that. Sometimes nonresistance is the change we need, just letting something new move through you.