Hello Generous People,
I don’t really know how to write this letter.  It is extremely difficult for me.  I am an educated person with a master’s degree.  I am a teacher.  I should be exhibiting a better example.  It is hard not to feel defeated, beaten up, like a failure in the state I’m in.  Even though circumstance put me here, I’m hoping generosity and sympathy will restore me.

I went through a divorce…I know, like 75% of the rest of the U.S.  I was married for twenty years.  I have two children.  I spent most of my life being the person who took care of everyone else.  My ill, difficult mother-in-law lived with us and our two small children for ten years of my marriage.  I took care of her because it was the right thing to do.  I used to send random friends and family money in the mail, inconspicuously of course, because of a need I knew they had.  I went in to teaching to help children.  Through all this, I never (as most do) thought I’d be the one here today asking for help.  If it weren’t for my children, I would not be here.   

My ex-husband had a four and a half year affair.  In addition, he cheated on my other times and ended up (the last straw) having another affair that lasted over a year with one of my children’s best friend’s mother’s.  Although, he won’t admit to that one.  Anyway, I am not telling you this because I want you to feel sorry for me.  I am telling you this because I want you to understand how I got myself into this state of affairs.    

I now live on 1/3 of what I was used to and don’t have enough to even pay for my car and rent let alone everything else I owe.  I have an $80,000 student loan and another $10,000 in credit and small loans.  In addition, I owe about $3500 in payday loans.  When you don’t have enough to get by and are worried about your children, you take drastic measures.  I am not asking for all of this.  That would not be right.  I am only asking for what I need to get myself out of the mess of being behind on everything and to pay off the high-interest payday loans.  Also, I’d really like to take my children on a small summer trip.  However, I will not do that unless everything else is settled first.  They could just use a break away from home and something fun in their lives.   

I know my need is not as severe as others’ needs.  But, it is severe enough that I worry every single day about what checks will clear.  “How am I going to pay my rent?”  How am I going to make sure I have gas money?”  “How am I going to pay for basic utilities?”  I don’t sleep well and feel so isolated, ignorant and alone.    

I’m just asking for a break.  I know, for someone out there, this doesn’t seem like much money.  To me, it is “living.”