How In Two Years’ Time Kristi’s Life Came Full Circle

One year ago today, I was headed to work at my very first full-time job, aside from being a full-time mom, of course. Which by the way, all moms should be paid a full-time wage, just saying. It's not an easy job, and some days were harder than others, but I couldn't wait to be a person again, and one with a purpose.

It was a Friday, and I remember it like it was yesterday. Driving in, I knew that in 2 weeks, I would receive my first paycheck, and I knew it was my turn to give back. As I pulled into the Sam's Club parking lot, I cried, thinking, is 5 dollars even worth donating? I knew it wasn't much, but I knew even if it wasn't as much as I wanted to donate, that 5 dollars would change someone's life, or at least give them a full belly.

There were times that we, as parents, weren't able to hold down two streams of income due to some personal hurdles, so we ourselves know exactly what it's like to need a helping hand. My husband and I are very prideful people and often kept our struggles between him and me, and maybe the occasional family member. We knew we wouldn't need help forever; we just needed it at the moment.

Fast forward to November 4th of 2020, and my life is nowhere near what I thought it would be a year ago. In these past 12 months, I applied for a job I NEVER in a million years thought I would get, and I got it. I've grown as a wife and mom because I now feel a sense of purpose, something I lacked for many years.

But, the biggest change of all is that this week I am camped out in the Sam's Club parking lot in Augusta, helping change the lives of so many people who have struggled just as I have. I have cried knowing I'm now the one on the giving end instead of receiving, and there is just something about seeing a community come together, which makes my eyes leak.

Please know just because someone looks like they have it all together, it doesn't mean they do. Hunger insecurities don't look like a walking skeleton. it looks like you, and it looks like me, it looks like the child that lives on your street, and it looks like the person who has their life "together."

We all go through struggles in our lives, so if you're able to help, please do! But, please know I can't be held responsible if you're life changes like mine did. Giving back changes who you are, and it changes how you present yourself.

Give back and watch who you become; I promise you won't even recognize yourself.

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