Hello. I know you don’t know who I am. In fact to you I am a nobody…nothing but words on a screen. I can only hope that you will keep reading and find that I’m more than just that, that I’m a flesh-and-blood human being, doing something that I NEVER thought in my lifetime I would be doing… asking a total stranger for financial help.
The pandemic of 2020 impacted my life like it did many others. In my case it added to strain I was already feeling in my life.
I’m a divorced dad and I have three grown children each struggling to find their way in the world. My ex-wife had no financial means to help any of our children so it was always on me to try to keep them afloat… to try to help them em out of any hardship or challenge or corner they found themselves in….and I do it gladly!
I have a full-time job and I did the best I could to help them each time they had a struggle or a need. And actually for a time I was able to stay relatively afloat and still be able to help them.
However, their challenges and needs soon started getting me behind the curve I staying afloat myself. But they’re my children! And even though I’m in my late 50s, I’m not going to turn my back on them and not try to do something to help them. Even though they’re grown they are still my children! Even if that means when one of my children, their fiancee, and their newborn, need to live with me, I am willing to take that on.
When the pandemic hit, fortunately my job was secure. The same was not true for my children. Unemployment, struggling to pay bills, struggling to find other employment, and trying to take care of their own young children, became overwhelming for each of them. So they would come to me for advice and help. I did what I always did, and tried to find a way. I even took out and borrow against my 401k, what little I had, try to get them help
I don’t regret what I did. I will never regret helping my children when they’re in need. I love my children.
Now I find myself facing so much debt and treading water. My kids are in no shape to help their dad out. I have hit a financial wall and out of options. Each day I stare at those numbers only makes me feel more somber and depressed, knowing that at this rate I could never get out of the hole I am in. I feel like any one more event (a car breaking down, etc.) will finish me.
I feel foolish asking for help. I know there are people in this world more need that I am. I know there are people in this world worse off than I am at this moment. I really was hoping at this stage of my life that could be looking forward to a time when I might be able to relax sit back and enjoy my children and my grandchildren. However I realistically don’t see that happening.
I am currently $20,000 in debt with credit cards and loans. While it would be a true blessing to be free and clear of all of that that, I would be happy to get any assistance that might help take a dent out of that burden. Maybe with some divine intervention and some help, I might be able to dig myself out of this hole that I find myself in.
If you made it this far in reading my letter, I appreciate you taking the time. If there’s some way you can help, then words will never be able to express my appreciation. If you can’t help, all I can ask is that you offer a prayer and some good wishes my way.
Thank you for your time.