FROM HOMELESS TO HOMEOWNER

At one time I was homeless.  As a realtor I can't believe I just admitted that, but it's the truth.  It was about 10 years ago.  I was in a horribly abusive marriage and moved to a homeless shelter to get away from the violence.  It was not a luxurious place to live but I made the best of it.   It was called the Lydia House but I called it Camp Lydia.   At the time I cleaned houses and just needed a place to stay until I got on my feet.  While I was there I helped the other women by taking them to work with me and paid them for helping me clean.  I had fun with them and felt like I was contributing something.  Almost every day we would laugh and sing and it was really therapeutic.  Some of the women had never even thought of doing something like that but it was my way of earning a living and taking care of my 2 youngest daughters.  My stay at the shelter lasted for 4 months but it seemed like a short period of time because it felt like a retreat compared to the violent home I had left.  About 3 years ago I stopped cleaning houses and started selling them.  Within 1 year I paid some back taxes, old hospital bills, and several other bills and took a leap of faith and bought my own home.  I can't believe that I did it!  In the past I had limiting beliefs and never thought that I would own my own home.  When I realized that I could set the goal and achieve it I was empowered!  Tracie Weaver, HOMEOWNER, what a sweet sound.   Recently, I came to appreciate the fact that I had gone from homeless to homeowner and felt compelled help others do the same.  I decided to go to a homeless shelter and speak to the director about mentoring others so they can realize that their present circumstances do not have to stay the same.  They too can go from homeless to homeowner. It just takes a dream, the desire and the determination to not give up.  If I can help one person to realize they can do the same my life will be greatly enriched.  i will feel truly blessed!