An Arranged Encounter

I’m about to get out of the car to go into Bed Bath & Beyond to do some Christmas shopping when I see her. A young women is trying to say something to me. When I get out of the car she says, “Directions, directions.” She looks harmless and honest.

“I’ve been lied to by a minister. I’ve waited for two hours on him to come help me.”

After an exchange of questions and answers I learn that she has three young children, including twins.

“If you know what it’s like to be a single mother. . .” she trails off.

I pull out my SMORE business card and hand it to her. More than a little surprised, she tells me of her situation.

Her ex-husband is in prison for not paying child support. She made sure to tell me that she received no government assistance and Medicaid for her children had been cutoff since she has a decent job sitting for the elderly. She has just moved to the area and needed directions back to the neighboring town where she lives. She was to meet the minister who was to help her buy diapers and give her money for the prescription formula for her babies.

I gave her some cash and drew directions of how to get back to her new hometown. She hugged me again.

The needs for single mothers is huge during this season. Be aware and lend a helping hand wherever you can.

Gail holds a degree from Lamar University in Speech and a Master’s from the University of Texas. She married Sam after raising three children as a single mother. She was an educator in regular and special education for eighteen years, finishing her professional career as a Braille teacher. In 2007 She founded SMORE for Women. SMORE is a nonprofit association whose goal is Single Moms, Overjoyed, Rejuvenated, & Empowered. She is a Women’s Transition Coach and her stories have been published in several Christian books and magazines.