Home > Blogs > Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner > Thoughts On Real Estate And Other Things I Care About
bookmark_borderbookmark

Personal Gratitude :An Update On A Relative

By
Real Estate Agent with Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 BRE# 01494165

A couple of weeks ago I posted about a troubled family member who had no income, no home, and no hope.

Free Help For Substance Abuse In Orange County, CA and Across The Country

Last weekend, we welcomed this relative to our cabin for some rest, family and food. I made an early Thanksgiving Feast and my husband and he took long walks in the snow and watched football. Mostly after weeks in his car, he stretched out in our warm guest room and relaxed.

On Monday, he and my husband made some visits to local facilities who operated either on charity or state funds. By far the nicest facility was The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army is entirely charity based and takes no contribution from the people it houses and helps. The Adult Rehabilitation Center in Perris, California is a men-only facility who can provide rehab, counseling and re-entry to society. It was a beautiful campus with opportunities to hike, fish and enjoy nature.

Yesterday, Wednesday, he entered as a full-time patient. He is waking up today knowing he has the opportunity to redirect his life.....and I'm most grateful! Please keep this story...and all the thousands of thousands of others happening right now.....as you see those jingling Santas with their buckets. Thanks to the coins dropped in there, my story today has a happy ending.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Comments (20)
Subscribe to CommentsComment

Submit
Show All Comments
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Karen,

It is important to keep the money flowing into the Salvation army! Thanks for sharing your story..you have helped this family member have a second chance. God bless you for sharing and giving.

Nov 25, 2010 03:01 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
A moving experience!

Hope springs eternal, and this is a season full of hope.  Keeping a good thought for your relative.

Nov 25, 2010 03:13 AM
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Karen -  thank you for sharing this story.  I too have a family member in the same situation but sadly, is refusing this kind of assistance that was offered. I don't know what his 'rock bottom' will be! There seems to be more and more people in dire need and we can only give our time or our money to these wonderful programs.   I too LOVE the Salvation Army and host a kettle during the season. 

To everyone who is reading this:  PLEASE GIVE WHAT YOU CAN WHEN YOU SEE THE KETTLES!  So many are depending on these services.

 

Nov 25, 2010 03:17 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co. Notary Services, retired Realtor

Karen, what a GREAT post. This should also be posted in Pay-It-Forward. I have a brother whom we have tried to get into Re-Hab all his adult life. He is a very talented individual but just can not shake the chemical dependency. Even with a year in prison, on the day I picked him up, he asked to stop at the 7-11, purchased some mouthwash and downed it right there. I wanted to take him back where he could not have the opportunity but his life is his choice. Best wishes for a GREAT Thanksgiving.

Nov 25, 2010 03:17 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Good morning all....I'm so grateful for the charities. It's my favorite tax deduction :) It allows me to contribute to the good work going on out there. I hope this is the turning point for this man, but at least today, I know he's safe....that's saying a lot.

Nov 25, 2010 03:19 AM
Anna Banana Kruchten CRS, CRB, Phoenix Broker
HomeSmart Real Estate BR030809000 - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Karen I'll keep your family member in my prayers as he begins his journey back to health.  He's lucky to have such a loving family to show him the direction and give him a gently push. 

Happy Thanks & Giving to you and your family!

Nov 25, 2010 03:26 AM
Eric Michael
Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI - Livonia, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519

Great story. I wish him, and others in unfortunate situations, the best.

Nov 25, 2010 03:47 AM
Kim McMahon
Executive Realty Group - Skokie, IL

Karen~  Thanks for the follow story. Good luck to your family member and a Happy and safe Thanksgiving to you and your family!!

Nov 25, 2010 05:36 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Karen - I have a troubled brother-in-law that we haven't seen since Thanksgiving 2001 and don't even know if he is still alive. I hope your family member has a successful new life ahead of him. He is very lucky to have you.

Nov 25, 2010 06:22 AM
Betsy Schuman Dodek
Washington Fine Properties - Washington DC Area Real Estate - Potomac, MD
SearchPotomacHomes.com

Karen, thanks for sharing the story and I am happy your relative is in a better place. Much thanks to The Salvation Army!

Nov 25, 2010 07:11 AM
Betsy Schuman Dodek
Washington Fine Properties - Washington DC Area Real Estate - Potomac, MD
SearchPotomacHomes.com

Karen, thanks for sharing the story and I am happy your relative is in a better place. Much thanks to The Salvation Army!

Nov 25, 2010 07:11 AM
Christine Smith
Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com - Canton, MA
Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA

Karen....I had read the earlier post.  I always like hearing the follow-ups so thank you for sharing this.  Also a good reminder to donate to those red buckets this holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 25, 2010 12:54 PM
Marie Graham
Owner, The Refreshed Home White Plains NY - White Plains, NY
Westchester County Interior Decorator, Home Stager

I echo Alan, there is always hope. One day at a time, I also wish him stregnth to do what he must.

A quick thought re: the kettles...in our area, those who man the kettles do not have the best of circumstances themselves...if you can, ask if you can bring them something on the way out...coffee, a sandwich, that sort of thing.

Nov 25, 2010 05:36 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Karen, so happy this has worked out for your relative and he is able to embrace the principals and self reflection needed to overcome this addiction.

 

Nov 26, 2010 01:00 AM
Peggy Chirico
Prudential CT Realty - Manchester, CT
REALTOR® 860-748-8900, Hartford & Tolland County Real Estate

Karen - This is the real story of Thanksgiving and interesting information about the Salvation Army.  All the best to you and your family members.

Nov 26, 2010 01:03 PM
Glenn Roberts
Retired - Seattle, WA

What great news for you and your relative. Salvation Army has been around a long time and does do good things.

Nov 27, 2010 04:51 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Karen, thanks for the update. I'll keep your story in mind as I see those red buckets around.

Nov 27, 2010 07:57 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Thanks all..and please do throw some coins into those buckets, not just for us, but for all the adults who the Salvation Army truly SAVES. It's amazing. Such a lovely home he has found, and completely free. That's the beautiful thing...that he is being cared for and about.

Nov 27, 2010 08:10 AM
Jim Hale
ACTIONAGENTS.NET - Eugene, OR
Eugene Oregon's Best Home Search Website

Sal - vay - shun Arrrrrmy. 

Sal - vay - shun Arrrrrmy.

Put a nickel in the drum

 

Save another .....family friend.

Nov 27, 2010 11:00 AM
Steve and Jan Bachman
RE/MAX Gateway, Reston, Herndon, Ashburn, Sterling, Fairfax - Herndon, VA
Realtors - Northern Virginia

The Salvation Army is awesome. We had a fire in one of our rentals...The Army was on the spot with everything the tenants needed including temporary shelter. After that experience, we make sure that we support them. They help everyone regardless of the recipients faith.

Nov 27, 2010 11:41 PM
Back to Top

What's the reason you're reporting this blog entry?

Are you sure you want to report this blog entry as spam?