During this time of year, we all think about Thanksgiving, the food, and people in our lives. Some people tend to be more grateful than others. I haven’t always been one of the truly thankful. I took life for granted and just didn’t think about important things, like housing – until I became homeless.
This year as I reflect on my life since I moved to Jacksonville three years ago, I am truly grateful for so much. As the years have gone by, I have secured housing, a stable job, and I have a good quality of life.
There’s always a misconception about homeless people and how they got there. I fled to Florida from Tennessee a few years ago because I was in a domestic violence situation. When I was in the Navy 21 years ago, I was a cryptologic technician interpreter. Basically I learned five languages in two years and decoded and translated for the military.