If there is one lesson life has taught me, is how quick you can go from seemingly having it all to having nothing in an instant.
It’s something that all of us will go through at least once in our lives, but unfortunately many of us will go through it several times. The ebb and flow of life is a natural process for everyone, but some are hit harder than others. One day you’re on top of the world, the next the world is falling apart around you.
If there’s one person who knows this, it’s Edie Russel of Carlsbad, California. Her life seemed fine, she wasn’t exactly the richest person, but she was able to sustain herself, but then she hit a rough patch. Unfortunately, the rough patch lasted so long and was so rough that she ended up homeless.
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I got behind and stayed behind. I owed a year of back rent. — Edie Russel
She was living in a trailer park, but when she was moved to a fixed income of just $1,000 a month, she was quickly unable to afford her spot in the park. She had gone from having a decent chunk of change in her savings, to having absolutely nothing. All it took was a few curve balls from life and she had lost it all.
Many of us can completely relate to a story like this. An unexpected medical bill or losing your job can really set you back, but when life continues to throw punches, that’s when you really start to lose it all.
Unfortunately, with no where else to go, Edie had to live out of her car at 78-years-old. No one else could help her and her two dogs. It was either sleep in the car or on the ground. Even worse, she wasn’t able to even move. Her car had a dead battery and was completely out of gas!
But one day, a stranger came up and knocked on the window of her car.
This woman came up to me while I was living in the car and said, ‘What are you doing here?’ I said, ‘I hate to tell you, I’m embarrassed that I’m homeless.’ — Edie Russel
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The stranger, a kind woman, seemed almost like an angel straight out of the bible. She glanced over the woman’s car and gave her some food and the money she had on her. She knew that Edie needed it far more than she did.
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That wasn’t all that this incredible stranger did, however. Soon the entire neighborhood knew Edie’s story and they were doing their very best to help her. It’s understandable that Edie was embarrassed of being in this situation, but because this stranger had told the neighbors, they were actually able to help.
They posted on social media, sharing around a campaign to raise funds on You Caring they had set up. You Caring is a fundraising site for those in need for situations just like these. Where communities can help pool their money together to help those less fortunate.
With the funds from the You Caring website, Edie was able to not only rent a room at a nearby Motel 6 until she was able to find more permanent housing, but she was also able to get her car fixed!
The blessings weren’t finished for Edie either. The neighbors also made helped Edie contact the Carlsbad Senior Center who gave her free meals whenever she needed them.
And the community knows that the Motel 6 room isn’t a permanent solution for Edie, so they are continuing to seek out more crowdfunding on You Caring to help her find a better housing solution as well as a part-time job.
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I thank every one of them. I haven’t met all of them, but I’m grateful beyond words. Without their help, I don’t know where I would be. — Edie Russel
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If you can, you can consider donating to Edie’s You Caring page here.
However if you cannot afford to donate yourself, please consider SHARING this article as every bit helps!
Thumbnail image courtesy of Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times.