Precious Metal, Precious Times

When I first started sharing my story almost a year ago now, I started by describing how it felt to become homeless, and what it felt like to lose my keys. You can read more about that story on the April 26th 2011 post, The Road To The Beginning. Back then, I had no idea of just how close I truly was to being on the road to a new beginning.

Here it is, mid-April of 2012. I'm still traveling down the road to new beginnings, but I've come so much further on my journey. I'm currently writing this post from the bedroom of my brand new apartment! Last night, as I recalled how it felt almost four years ago to lose my apartment keys, I thought about what it's like to have a new set of apartment keys, now. Just then, a television commercial came on featuring Reba McEntire from a few years ago. She said “to some people, house keys are precious metal.” For certain, I have to say that it feels great to have precious metal of my own. I will remember always these precious times.

These times are especially precious to me, because I'm experiencing so many important life transitions at once. Not only am I on safe ground again, but by the time this post is published, I will have turned 40! All that joy and excitement might seem overwhelming, and it is. But along with joy come overwhelming feelings of fear, unpleasant memories, things to do and establish, appointments, and career opportunities to pursue. I've been figuratively spit out of a tornado and I've had a bit of a chance to collect my bearings. Although I still feel a bit wobbly at times, it's time to stand up firmly and get busy with solidifying my life. Wobbly or not, it's time to get moving. After all, what I accomplish now sets the tone for years to come. No pressure, right?

This is why communication with others has never been more important to me than at this moment. At least, that's how it feels at times. I need a way for people and for agencies to contact me. I need to feel in every way that I'm settled and established. My Community Voice Mail number helps me to do this. For example, just yesterday, a lady who drove me home from the food bank asked me for my phone number. She wanted to call me with items she had around her home. I told her that my number was a voice mailbox. She asked me if the voice mail system sounded like some weird automated machine that half-captured one's information. I was able to reassure her that it features my voice, and that it sounds like an answering machine.

When people call me, they will hear a welcoming voice instructing them to leave their information. I was so proud to be able to tell the lady this information. Sharing about the quality of my voice mail with her made me feel a bit more...human and established. I'm grateful that I and others have dignified access to a voice mail system that others respect and trust. My voice mail box is indeed a precious resource that helps me through these precious times.

My name is Terrah, and I will be sharing with you ways that Community Voice Mail has helped me, it might seem like a small thing, but having communications gives hope, and that hope can be the seed for so much growth in life recovery. I hope you continue to read my posts, and I wish you well in your journey.