Thanks to Goodfellows, mom and son are looking forward to Christmas after year of heartache
It’s been the year of heartache and disappointment for a single mother who trusted the wrong person.
Karlene said she and her 11-year-old son are blessed with good health, and she knows that God is on her side. She never doubted it despite the loss of a friend and roommate who died of cancer, and the absolute betrayal of the next roommate — a woman who Karlene said she was trying to help.
Over the next few weeks, the roommate stole food and ran up bills. When the rent came due, the roommate confessed that she had no job and no money.
Karlene told the roommate to find other accommodations, then began negotiating with the landlord. She barely avoided eviction, but ended up with no money for such non-essentials as Christmas presents for her son.
Before he died, the friend/roommate had been working on Karlene’s car. He didn’t get it finished. It took her several weeks to get it fixed, and she lost a job because of that.
“We went all summer without a car to get to work,” she said. “I had to walk, beg for rides from neighbors and friends. Then I lost my job.”
Karlene felt lonesome after her friend’s death, but the loss of his support was devastating.
“I have been searching for any assistance to get our financial situation back on track,” she said.
Dodging the eviction bullet was a blessing, but Karlene hasn’t been able to let another person into the home she shares with her son, because she fears another betrayal.
“I’m struggling through this by myself, because I’m afraid to take in another roommate,” she said. “I finally got my car fixed and I’m working — got a job the day before school started. God was on my side, again.”
A full-time restaurant job is getting Karlene and her son out of the hole, gradually. And she planned to to hit the Black Friday sales racks with a $50 J.C. Penney gift card from the Goodfellow Fund.
“We are looking forward to Christmas,” Karlene said. “I can get my son a few inexpensive things, and the gift card will get him some new clothes. I hope everyone has a great Christmas. Just keep focusing on the positive and truck through the negative.”
Be a jolly Goodfellow
Since 1912, the Star-Telegram’s Goodfellow Fund has provided practical gifts for schoolchildren. Join this tradition by sending a contribution to Goodfellows, Since 1912, the Star-Telegram’s Goodfellow Fund has provided practical gifts for schoolchildren. Join this tradition by sending a contribution to Goodfellows, Box 1870, Fort Worth, TX 76101. Or visit goodfellowfundfw.com to make a secure credit card donation.