Join Us in Uplifting Michelle and Her Boys

I am writing this in hopes of finding some support for my very dear friend, Michelle Patton. My name is Lauren and I’ve been friends with Michelle for about 10 years now. During our friendship, Michelle has been by my side throughout some of the toughest times in my life.

Michelle is well known for her thoughtfulness and her kind heart. She does the little things that no one ever thinks of to bring a smile to your day and you can see her face light up when she’s making others feel good. I think it’s fair to say, that the ones who give the most, are the ones who have the least. In Michelle’s case, that’s simply- happiness.

During our years of friendship, it was hard for me to be an ear for Michelle as she would tell me about some of the things she was going through with her husband. It’s not my place to share her experiences, however the latest one is the one that brings us here today.

When Michelle called me in May of this year to let me know about an assault that took place at her home, in front of her children, my heart sank. I didn’t know what her plans were or what my reaction was supposed to be. I know that some people get in these situations and they don’t know how to escape, so I did the only thing I’ve ever known to do for Michelle, and that was to tell her I support her in whatever she chooses to do.

To my surprise, Michelle took a stand. She made a choice that she would no longer put up with abuse, not mental, not emotional, and surely not physical. It was admirable. I almost couldn’t believe it.

In the beginning, things seemed as if they would work themselves out, that she would qualify for different benefits that would allow her to still pursue her career and take care of her boys. We sadly found out, that is not the case.

Since Michelle is a working mother, the odds have been stacked against her. She has struggled to pay her bills, clothe her growing boys for the new school year and seasons, and even putting food on the table hasn’t come without a fight.

Luckily for the boys, their Mama is in fact a fighter. She has found every way she can to hustle up what she is able to, that the boys have not been affected by this drastic change.

Unfortunately, it’s all becoming too much to bare and the stresses of court dates, divorce, work, and life are starting to add up and our friend is in need of an extra push to complete her VERY BRAVE attempt at escaping from a situation a lot of people see no option out of.

If you have it in your heart and your pocketbook to give a little to my sweet friend, so that she may continue her fight for what’s right for herself and her boys, it would mean the world.

For the friends and family members who have helped Michelle up to this point and are still doing all they can, please know, from the bottom of my heart, it’s not unnoticed and it is unbelievably appreciated. Without the help of her community and her family, she wouldn’t have made it this far, too far to turn back now.