Meeting Goals

A strange thing happened on the way to rebuilding a life for myself. I started meeting markers. Making new goals, and attaining, even exceeding those. Reworking and reorganizing my priorities. I've learned to see, with perspective, how very grateful I am and should be for the people I've met along the way, and for my friends and family who have shored me up at the times I've felt lowest.
Just about four years ago, I was at just about rock-bottom. No job. A car I loved repossessed. Living in my mother's home, through her gracious offer to let me do so until I got back on my feet. Things happened after that, but the bottom line will always be that she did not have to make that offer, yet she did. My siblings and children did not have to come out that cold night of early March and help me tote my things in to my mother's basement. But, they did. Friends did not have to offer monetary support, but they surprised me along the way, and have. The point being that I am where I am today, because people cared enough to offer help & support to get me over the next hurdle I was facing at the time. I'm appreciative of that. I'm very cognizant of it. And unless I am struck with a disease that robs me of my memory, I will always acknowledge it. I did not get where I am today alone!
Where exactly am I? I have replaced that repossessed car with an almost identical vehicle. I love driving this car! And, for right now, the biggest thing I can see in my life is something I truly doubted I'd be able to accomplish. Yesterday was a pretty standard Friday, except that I bought a home. A HOUSE! I am going to be a homeowner again! I am so thrilled it is beyond description! My apartment complex sent me notice about a month ago that my rent was going to go up $50 a month at the start of my next lease cycle. I was outraged! That's a pretty hefty "adjustment", in my opinion. So, I started looking for another apartment. What I found was that the rate they were going to charge me, was pretty standard. In the back of my mind, a small idea started to grow. it was simple, really. If I was to have no choice but to fork over (what I considered to be) a large amount of money for not much space...maybe, just maybe I could afford a house. Now, I did laugh a little, at first...because once you're in the rent cycle, it is very difficult to break that cycle. But, I've done so. I found an incredibly cute little place about equidistant from my current place of employ. I made an offer. that offer was countered. I accepted the counter. About four years after I stood in my mother's living room, with nothing to show for my life, I will once again become a homeowner! I can not even begin to describe the euphoria I feel right now. For almost the exact same amount I would have been charged to rent, I will own. Principle, PMI, taxes, insurance...all made possible because, along the way friends, family, and acquaintances have taken the time to build in to my life.
Often times, we might feel our meager donation in to someone's life has little to no bearing on that life. I am here to tell you that it does. That word of encouragement. That coffee date. That smile when it looks like someone is having a rough time. These things matter.
I do understand that trouble comes along with homeownership. It's part of the process. But it's one of those instances where the ends justifies the means. At the end of the day, with more than a little help from friends & family, I am literally where I never thought I would be...at the brink of owning my own home. My OWN. Life is what you make of it. Set goals. Aim high. Shoot for the stars. And watch! along the way, people will be offering you a helping hand to get to the next step. Embrace it!