Year of Loss but Glorious Future
Donation protected
My Dear Friends,
Well folks, physically I made it through this latest trip to the hospital. These severe upper-respiratory infections I get happen now and then since I had pneumonia in both lungs back in 2001, and this one was pretty bad. I always try to stay as positive as humanly possible even during difficult times. However, this year of loss has caught up with me emotionally, physically and financially.
As most of you know, I had to put Joey, my dog of ten years, down in May. My Mom was getting progressively worse since the beginning of the year which occupied so much of my time. She entered Hospice care in April 13, and died on July 19. I have had no relationship to speak of with my father and brother for many years, and we all knew as soon as my Mom took her last breath we would have very little to do with each other ever again. I was not even informed when my Mother’s ashes were returned to my father a few weeks after her death. However, I did receive a small pouch of my Mom’s ashes from him just a few weeks ago.
The few relatives I do have left have been sympathetic and have tried to help in their own way, and for that I am ever so grateful, but it has not been financially substantial enough to get me over this very large hurdle. Even if I went back into the workforce to a job that could cover my living expenses, I would lose my health, dental, prescription coverage and the other small social services provided because of my HIV positive status. The medicine alone I take daily costs over $1,000 per month. The State of Arizona is not very giving to single men with no dependents, so there is no rental or cash assistance available to someone in my position. I receive a small grant for electricity during the hot summer months when electricity costs almost $10 per day, but there is no assistance available during other times of the year.
I thought I had met a wonderful new man shortly after my Mom died. I even postponed my move back to Buffalo, to give the relationship an opportunity to grow, but unfortunately that did not work out. With my student loans and grants I received at the end of August, I began my classes for the fall semester at Mesa Community College. At the end of September, the other bank account where I kept my school funds was hacked by someone I was trying to “pay it forward” for all the help I had received after my Mom died. I had this person house sit for me and watch my dog. I gave him a copy of my debit card in case he needed anything for the house or the dog, and within a few days over $2,500 was stolen leaving me penniless, and he is nowhere to be found. The bank and police could not do a thing because I gave him my card.
After the robbery and the breakup which happened around the same time, I got so far behind in my classes that I had to withdraw from school. I received help from an old friend last month to keep me in my place, but now in addition to other bills that are at least two months behind, I am in the processes of being evicted. Even though I own the mobile home where I live, the park can evict me for non payment of the lot rental which currently is $566 per month. In addition to all that, I have had numerous car and indoor plumbing challenges this year.
As a licensed minister I have been trying to book weddings with the new Facebook page I set up, but only one wedding booked so far, and they cancelled out on me on November 15. Normally this is my favorite time of year, and I love to cook for the holidays, so I am going to try and have a Thanksgiving Open House using my EBT card for food, opening my home to those who have no place to go or would just like to stop by for leftovers, coffee and dessert. Last year fourteen people gathered at my house for Thanksgiving dinner. What a difference a year can make. My Mother truly was the glue that held a family together.
The other night an old, and very dear friend called from Michigan and I was crying. I told him I just wished there was someone here to hold me and help me through this very trying time. I don’t think I ever wanted a husband/partner more than I did last night. My late friend Diane Bycina used to say, “It’s always easier when you have someone by your side to go through the rough times in life.”
So, here I am “Mr. Positive,” the “Holiday King,” Mr. “Musical Monday,” “Wizard Wednesday” and the man with a great resume who is having to write a letter to my friends once again asking for your generosity.
If I can get through these next few months, my future plan is to continue to try and sell my mobile home and move back to Buffalo as soon as the winter weather subsides. Many of you have helped in the past, and for that I am ever so humbled and grateful. If it had not been for the robbery I would still be in school and able to sustain myself financially until my spring semester funds came through at the end of January 2015, but that is no longer possible.
A former director of mine, whom I respect deeply, wrote on my timeline the other day: “Keep notes. Maybe this experience could be fodder for a new show for you to star in.” Life has certainly handed me quite a few hard punches this year, but I am convinced that with my strong faith and your love and support I WILL MAKE IT THROUGH TO A GLORIOUS FUTURE!!!
With Much Love, Abundant Blessings, and Eternal Gratitude…
Michael.
Well folks, physically I made it through this latest trip to the hospital. These severe upper-respiratory infections I get happen now and then since I had pneumonia in both lungs back in 2001, and this one was pretty bad. I always try to stay as positive as humanly possible even during difficult times. However, this year of loss has caught up with me emotionally, physically and financially.
As most of you know, I had to put Joey, my dog of ten years, down in May. My Mom was getting progressively worse since the beginning of the year which occupied so much of my time. She entered Hospice care in April 13, and died on July 19. I have had no relationship to speak of with my father and brother for many years, and we all knew as soon as my Mom took her last breath we would have very little to do with each other ever again. I was not even informed when my Mother’s ashes were returned to my father a few weeks after her death. However, I did receive a small pouch of my Mom’s ashes from him just a few weeks ago.
The few relatives I do have left have been sympathetic and have tried to help in their own way, and for that I am ever so grateful, but it has not been financially substantial enough to get me over this very large hurdle. Even if I went back into the workforce to a job that could cover my living expenses, I would lose my health, dental, prescription coverage and the other small social services provided because of my HIV positive status. The medicine alone I take daily costs over $1,000 per month. The State of Arizona is not very giving to single men with no dependents, so there is no rental or cash assistance available to someone in my position. I receive a small grant for electricity during the hot summer months when electricity costs almost $10 per day, but there is no assistance available during other times of the year.
I thought I had met a wonderful new man shortly after my Mom died. I even postponed my move back to Buffalo, to give the relationship an opportunity to grow, but unfortunately that did not work out. With my student loans and grants I received at the end of August, I began my classes for the fall semester at Mesa Community College. At the end of September, the other bank account where I kept my school funds was hacked by someone I was trying to “pay it forward” for all the help I had received after my Mom died. I had this person house sit for me and watch my dog. I gave him a copy of my debit card in case he needed anything for the house or the dog, and within a few days over $2,500 was stolen leaving me penniless, and he is nowhere to be found. The bank and police could not do a thing because I gave him my card.
After the robbery and the breakup which happened around the same time, I got so far behind in my classes that I had to withdraw from school. I received help from an old friend last month to keep me in my place, but now in addition to other bills that are at least two months behind, I am in the processes of being evicted. Even though I own the mobile home where I live, the park can evict me for non payment of the lot rental which currently is $566 per month. In addition to all that, I have had numerous car and indoor plumbing challenges this year.
As a licensed minister I have been trying to book weddings with the new Facebook page I set up, but only one wedding booked so far, and they cancelled out on me on November 15. Normally this is my favorite time of year, and I love to cook for the holidays, so I am going to try and have a Thanksgiving Open House using my EBT card for food, opening my home to those who have no place to go or would just like to stop by for leftovers, coffee and dessert. Last year fourteen people gathered at my house for Thanksgiving dinner. What a difference a year can make. My Mother truly was the glue that held a family together.
The other night an old, and very dear friend called from Michigan and I was crying. I told him I just wished there was someone here to hold me and help me through this very trying time. I don’t think I ever wanted a husband/partner more than I did last night. My late friend Diane Bycina used to say, “It’s always easier when you have someone by your side to go through the rough times in life.”
So, here I am “Mr. Positive,” the “Holiday King,” Mr. “Musical Monday,” “Wizard Wednesday” and the man with a great resume who is having to write a letter to my friends once again asking for your generosity.
If I can get through these next few months, my future plan is to continue to try and sell my mobile home and move back to Buffalo as soon as the winter weather subsides. Many of you have helped in the past, and for that I am ever so humbled and grateful. If it had not been for the robbery I would still be in school and able to sustain myself financially until my spring semester funds came through at the end of January 2015, but that is no longer possible.
A former director of mine, whom I respect deeply, wrote on my timeline the other day: “Keep notes. Maybe this experience could be fodder for a new show for you to star in.” Life has certainly handed me quite a few hard punches this year, but I am convinced that with my strong faith and your love and support I WILL MAKE IT THROUGH TO A GLORIOUS FUTURE!!!
With Much Love, Abundant Blessings, and Eternal Gratitude…
Michael.
Organizer
Michael La Rocca
Organizer
Mesa, AZ
