A Home of Their Own

current events, dreams, family, nonfiction, , , 34 Comments

Five weeks ago, a family of five arrived on our doorstep, distraught and teary-eyed after having fled the war in Ukraine.

The dad started working the next day, and the rest of us sorted out beds, groceries and necessary paperwork.

Within a week, the kids started school and Mom applied for jobs. It didn’t take her long despite her limited English.

Today, they move into their first home in Canada.

How did it happen?

With July 1st looming, and the arrival of our next family, I posted for help. Housing is hard to come by in our area. Offers trickled in: a house in a town half an hour away, a new host family, a small two-bedroom to rent – nothing concrete. Then, the mom’s boss called: “She’s too good of a worker for me to lose”, he said. “What do we need to do?”

I didn’t want this family to be shuffled around again. They’ve been through enough.

“She needs a home of her own,” I said. “A chance to set down roots.”

“If you can find people to help,” he said, “I’ll back you.”

So I made a phone call to a local minister I’d heard about. That was last week. By Thursday we went to see a brand new townhome. The church offered first and last month rent and co-signed on the lease. Friday we filled out the paperwork and the same evening got the call that they were accepted.

“Come to the church on Sunday,” the minister advised, “and bring a list of what they’ll need to set up house.”

So we did. The eldest daughter, Alina, and I stood up and told the story of how we came together. Afterwards, we stayed for a meet and greet and the congregation signed up for everything on the list.

Today, five very excited people move into a home of their own, in a new country.

It seems dreams do come true in Canada.

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Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

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