Once upon a time, I lived in a place that was much too small for myself and my now adult-sized children. It started as a place for a fresh start, but time happens, as it does, quicker than we can catch up to our needs.
At that time in my life, I had just become the sole financial provider and caretaker of my two young children. The fresh start turned into years of trying to get my feet underneath me as my once two- and four-year-olds became teenagers with shoe sizes rivaling mine.
My family needed a more appropriate place to live. I needed to remain close to the small local practice I had built over 13 years. After a hard look at my finances, it became clear that I could not do both — The homes that I could afford were too far away to maintain my business. I have to admit I had become sunken inside myself. The strength and resilience that had helped me survive these years seemed harder to access as financial uncertainty loomed.
But in what felt like a moment of absolute despair… where I could not see a future… an email arrived. I can affirm — God works in sometimes technologically mysterious ways.
I had given my email address to Beaches Habitat for Humanity to be notified when their application was available. What seemed like many moons before, lost somewhere in my memory where you tend to tuck your secret hopes, my past self had left a little gift for future me. I felt my spirits lift. With a hopeful heart, I applied!
After being approved for a mortgage, logging hundreds of hours of hard work on construction sites, and spending many evenings in conference rooms and classrooms, I now own a beautiful little home in the community we have known and loved for many years. My teenagers have space to grow into young adulthood, and I can continue to work with the clients who have supported my small business over the years.
As we are settling into our new reality, in what truly feels like a divine resuscitation of my life, my mind is now open to a myriad of possibilities:
Where my children come home from school for the Holidays,
Where we sit around our dining table and talk about the time before and the time after,
Where we remember how we spent our first night having a picnic on the floor in the living room of our very own Home.
This Christmas, our Home will be a place to lay light and garland. It will be filled with the smell of pine and homemade apple cider and a pinch of cinnamon sprinkled on top of hot chocolate. And we will be surrounded by a true Hearth, our Home, created by our community.
My Christmas wish is for everyone in our community to have a safe place to spring from, a place where the Heart knows warmth and security, a place to weather storms and celebrate victories.
A place where the love of cleaning baseboards becomes an actual thing. ♥
Please help this incredible local organization continue to nourish our community one Home at a time. Your gift will also demonstrate support for all the beautiful people who uphold this organization with their time and hard work. Together, we can build a world where everyone has a safe place to live for the holiday season, and beyond.
With immensely grateful hearts.
Warmly,
Erin Marie, Ireland, and Vee
What does “home for the holidays” mean to you?
For many, it’s a magical time of gathering with loved ones in the warmth and comfort of your homes. But, when you don’t have an affordable place to live, the magic of the holidays is replaced with the stress of hard choices. No one should have to choose between a happy holiday and making ends meet.
With your help, Beaches Habitat families don’t have to choose.
Your gift will empower the individuals and families who partner with Beaches Habitat to earn their way to a safe and affordable place to live.
For the 20th year, the family of Sandy Forsyth, founder of Aqua East Surf Shop, has pledged to match every dollar donated this holiday season, up to $20,000. Don’t miss your chance to double your impact while paving the way for more families like Erin’s to celebrate a happy holiday in a home of their own.
Thank you very much for your compassion, not only during the holiday season but throughout the year. Your ongoing support makes a lasting difference.
Sincerely,
Steven Gilbert
President & CEO
This campaign is closed.
You can still support our programs with a financial contribution. Please visit the Donate page to make your gift today.