17 Nov Raeli’s Half-Way Home

5 years today. 5 years since I made a drastic move to walk out of my marriage and marital home. It was a tough few years but today…I would not do anything different. I watched myself give in to despair, I watched myself put one foot in front of the other, I watched myself give up and trudge on with all that I had. The one thing about this whole journey that still makes me sad is how my children were completely cut off. I used to wonder how someone did not have an entire side of the family, now my daughters are those people. Still, it is no fault of their own, they are the children in this equation and as their mother, I extended an olive branch that was ignored. I sincerely hope to meet a great man someday who will come along with a big family that will embrace and cover my children with all the acceptance and love they deserve. Family never has to mean blood relation.

At one of my weakest moments, strangers banded together and some sent me money while others sent me food items. I have never forgotten the kind gestures of these women and men. I promised myself to pay it forward when I could. And I have been. I have silently been helping women and a few men for over two years now. And no, there are no photos available, the dignity I was bestowed in anonymity, I give that too. The compassion I received, I have been giving it back and God has blessed me in ways I did not think possible. I registered a Community-Based Organization in September. It has been my greatest achievement so far and I told God this is my ministry to Him. Every single Mom, woman, or man I have lent a hand to has been an ode to God for how far He has brought me.

The Foundation is called Raeli’s Half-Way Home. Aptly named after my maternal Grandmother. She has had the most profound reach in my life. She is a soft-spoken strong woman. I have watched her silently fight battles I would have ended up in jail for murder. I have watched her put her entire trust in God for Him to make a way. I have watched her cry from pain and joy. I have watched and cheered on as she has learned to assert her decisions in her widowhood. I have watched her fast and pray for all of us, her descendants. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my Grandma, I would gladly fight a war for her. I have always been in her corner and shall always be.  

I went over to her place when I received the certificate and asked her for permission to use her name, which she gave me. I then explained to her what the Foundation is about and she prayed over me, and the Foundation then gave me her blessings. This is when I am publicly talking about it. I soaked in all the joy for two months and celebrated with my friends, most of whom make the Foundation’s sitting administration members. We are ready to tackle more.

Always be kind. Always help out someone in need. Being compassionate and empathetic is what the gospel preaches about. Someone somewhere will always need your help…be that helping hand. Start where you can.