Thirty years ago I was a single parent in a foreign country, living on welfare, with no higher education, no job, and no prospects. Now I'm heading back there.
Thanks, Alda. I think it is super important both for folks to hear about folks who not only survive but also thrive, and to hear that folks who need welfare at once time are not doomed to a miserable life of poverty.
Yes, I, too, was on welfare for a bit. People are shocked when they find out. I have a good job and a good life now. I'm educated. Doesn't mean there weren't times when I needed help.
People aren't disposable. Recovering from abuse isn't a sign of moral weakness (my American is probably showing there).
I hope you have a fabulous time in Essen and overwrite some of those bad memories with new, good ones. And if the old memories mug you, well, you aren't that person anymore.
Thanks Lissa. Yes, 100%. All of us need help at one time or another, and some of us don't have a support system that can do that for us when we need it. There is no shame in using whatever resources are available--that is why they are there. The important thing is to not buy into the victim mentality, since then you're at risk of getting stuck. As someone once said (it's been attributed to different people so I don't know who) "Broke is a temporary condition, poverty is a state of mind." I'm not sure I agree entirely with that last part since I know poverty is also systemic and people get trapped, but the point is that we are all capable of so much more than any temporary circumstances would have us believe.
❤️ you are brave!! And self confident… that’s hard to come by when significant people in your life have never been supportive. Keep on keeping on! Best of luck as you move forward!!
You are amazing - I don’t know you, but I feel that I do as you “speak” so eloquently to your readers. I love the way you are able to capture your thoughts and feelings on paper and make sense of your world at that moment. Blessings and love from Australia and please keep on writing! 🙏
Leaving is tough. I did it too. I’m still sometimes haunted but surviving and thriving is the sweetest medication for those hurts. Sometimes a trip to past locations can show you just how far you’ve come.
Good to see another installment here. That is quite a story, shut out of one homeland and abandoned with next to nothing in another (not referring to your daughter here). Thanks for sharing. You've helped me discover things with my narcissistic mother and I look forward to what you come up with. Your challenges and courage overcoming and sharing them are doing others good.
Good job on surviving! I'm thankful that you did, because now we get to read all the wonderful things that you write :)
❤️
Agree
Thanks, Alda. I think it is super important both for folks to hear about folks who not only survive but also thrive, and to hear that folks who need welfare at once time are not doomed to a miserable life of poverty.
Yes, I, too, was on welfare for a bit. People are shocked when they find out. I have a good job and a good life now. I'm educated. Doesn't mean there weren't times when I needed help.
People aren't disposable. Recovering from abuse isn't a sign of moral weakness (my American is probably showing there).
I hope you have a fabulous time in Essen and overwrite some of those bad memories with new, good ones. And if the old memories mug you, well, you aren't that person anymore.
Thanks Lissa. Yes, 100%. All of us need help at one time or another, and some of us don't have a support system that can do that for us when we need it. There is no shame in using whatever resources are available--that is why they are there. The important thing is to not buy into the victim mentality, since then you're at risk of getting stuck. As someone once said (it's been attributed to different people so I don't know who) "Broke is a temporary condition, poverty is a state of mind." I'm not sure I agree entirely with that last part since I know poverty is also systemic and people get trapped, but the point is that we are all capable of so much more than any temporary circumstances would have us believe.
❤️ you are brave!! And self confident… that’s hard to come by when significant people in your life have never been supportive. Keep on keeping on! Best of luck as you move forward!!
❤️
You are amazing - I don’t know you, but I feel that I do as you “speak” so eloquently to your readers. I love the way you are able to capture your thoughts and feelings on paper and make sense of your world at that moment. Blessings and love from Australia and please keep on writing! 🙏
Thanks Alison ❤️
Yay for you! Wishing you all the best! <3
❤️
Great to have you back, Alda, on this platform. I truly inspiring story that, no doubt, has helped lots of people.
Leaving is tough. I did it too. I’m still sometimes haunted but surviving and thriving is the sweetest medication for those hurts. Sometimes a trip to past locations can show you just how far you’ve come.
❤️ kudos to you for making a choice to prioritize yourself
Good to see another installment here. That is quite a story, shut out of one homeland and abandoned with next to nothing in another (not referring to your daughter here). Thanks for sharing. You've helped me discover things with my narcissistic mother and I look forward to what you come up with. Your challenges and courage overcoming and sharing them are doing others good.
Have a wonderful time, Alda! Our friends "who knew us when" are such gifts.
I’m so glad you survived so I can read all the wonderful things you have written. You touch my heart! ❤️
❤️