Light and Darkness

Today, my family and I discussed our plans for a vacation this summer.  It's been years since we've been on a nice vacation thanks to debt and the economy.

This year, it's a different story.

In 4 weeks, we will be debt free as the credit cards will be paid off! Hoorah!  We've had many dark times over the past few years.  That's all about to change.  I remember a week in which we had to scrounge around the house to find change to pay for toilet paper.

Thankfully, I don't think my siblings knew how bad it was.  I think they have some idea though.  Our previous home was almost foreclosed, but we signed the deed over to the bank instead.  We even claimed bankruptcy.  Since then, we've been renting a small place.  It's cramped, and I hate it here, but it's all we can afford right now.  My parents are happy here, and I think my siblings are too.

Emma and Buddy haven't moved as much as I have.  My dorm is the 10th place I've lived.  I'll soon be moving to an apartment.  My own place.  It feels as though I've been waiting for this moment for a very long time, as I have.  I'm ready for freedom.  Living in the dorm has brought about some freedom.  I've babysat and been almost a second mother to Emma and Buddy since I was 13 years old, though I helped care for them since their birth as well.

This summer has been a long time coming.  Although we're still in the planning process, we might be taking the train to Florida and going to Universal Studios and Disney World!!!  I'm so excited!  We've needed some light in our lives for a long time.  I'm hoping having the credit cards (a major burden for several years) paid off will help bring that light.

Another major burden is our medical bills.  Those, however, won't be eliminated for a very long time.  My mom and I have many medical problems.  Partly from my chronic conditions, I get sick rather often.  Depression, fibromyalgia, asthma, and several digestive issues torment me often.  As feared, they are once again damaging me academically.  Some days, I wake up but can't get out of bed because I'm in excruciating pain from my neck down.  Others, I have a severe upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting from the IBS, Celiac, or bile reflux.  When the weather was really cold and windy, I'd walk to class and an asthma attack would literally take my breath away.  I hate being sick, but it could be worse.