Like so many others, my household has fallen upon troubled times.  The Company I worked for filed for bankruptcy and went under and last month, I lost my job.  A series of unfortunate personal events took me to the edge of somewhere I never hoped to be.  I have three children and a grandson living at home and as many of you know, I was a foster parent to a pair of toddler sisters for nearly two years, until life started to unravel recently.  Almost one year ago, I adopted my youngest son, who I've had since birth.  After having surgery at the end of October, I found out yesterday that my medical insurance wasn't going to cover it; my coverage through employment ended.
Although I am not in the Christmas spirit, I'm trying to maintain face for the sake of the kids; we don't even have a tree yet.  I never thought buying a tree would be a luxury.
As of next month, I will not be able to afford rent and we will all have to split up.  Obviously, I can't afford the deposits and down payments required to move from our current home, which is right next to my youngest son's school - I was trying to avoid uprooting him mid-year.
I hate the fact that I'm having to reach out like this as there are people worse off than I but while I search for employment (unemployment benefits haven't begun yet - not that it will be enough),  I'd like my kids to have peace of mind, a mother that can smile again, and maybe a decent Christmas.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart.