By Loretta Gaither, July 7, 2011 — The building is about to fall down. There are weeds everywhere and the electricity doesn’t work. I am afraid of fire. I don’t know how long I will be there. I am tired of paying a shelter fee. I thank God that I have my mind together. My family does not care.
I thank God for the writing class. I am 68 and I am glad I have somewhere to go. I am tired of being pushed around, but this class helps me cope. I thank Benita and Madi for helping me. I thank God that I haven’t had a nervous breakdown. I don’t know what is going to happen. The things that are going on are not my fault.
I want to get stuff off of my record. I am thankful that I stopped drinking and smoking. A man claimed that I took his phone. I didn’t. He lied. I am tired of it. I get tired of people lying when I didn’t do anything wrong. I want to get back to my own place. It hurts when someone lies about you. It hurts when they are wrong and I am right. It really hurts. I have to go to a psychiatrist but he knows there is nothing wrong with my mind. I am almost 69 and I just want peace. I have put out so much money and I am just tired. My kids and siblings turned their backs on me and it really hurts.
I went to visit my girlfriend and we have been friends for 33 years. I am thankful for the writing class and the seniors. My blood count is low because I don’t eat properly. I don’t dress like I come from the shelter but I do come from the shelter. My friend Stanley always asks me if I need financial help. I hate it when people take advantage of me. This writing class has helped bring out my inner feelings. Thank God for this writing class. I fed a lady that was hungry yesterday. I have a passion for people even though I am going through hard times myself.