Society of Saint Vincent de Paul North Idaho
My Life With St. Vincent de Paul a Before and After Story
By Laurinda O’Dell
Before my family and I came to live in Coeur d’Alene, I was a confident person, aware of what I wanted and raring to go for it but with no way to get there. Isn’t it funny how we can believe we are just fine — until one unexpected pothole in the road of life shakes our entire framework? Suddenly we can see all the little things that need to be tightened or adjusted — things we had no idea were there. When I arrived here, this was me.
When my family experienced a financial devastation that left us homeless, I learned of St. Vincent de Paul and applied for housing assistance, holding to the belief that other than our financial situation, my family and I were just fine. However, while living in transitional housing, I became aware of things I’d had no idea were a part of my life—you know, those hidden secrets that we all cover to protect ourselves from feeling hurt so that we can push forward and eventually forget they happened? I found hidden closets opening, barriers starting to fall away, and wounds I didn’t even know I had beginning to heal.
My life has changed so dramatically, and the changes in me have effected changes in my family. My marriage has grown stable and wonder-filled. I had come to believe that it might never be possible for my husband and me to have a solid working-together relationship; and many times I questioned my parenting skills, only to learn that I was doing better than I had thought. Even my children noticed a distinct positive change in my parenting, and my husband now leads our household. My entire family has connected in a tight-knit relationship with open communication and respect for one another that we had never before experienced. Roger (my husband) and I have learned to work together and to appreciate each other’s strengths, understand each other’s weaknesses, and build each other up rather than beat each other down. Our children’s lives, too, have shown dramatic growth. I have seen them change from a dry, sickly flower bed of children into a thriving beautiful garden of life that I love to water and watch grow. I am so proud of all of them.
One of my life’s greatest achievements was to graduate in May 2004 from North Idaho College. Having lived in transitional housing during school, I felt so honored and blessed to be offered a position upon my graduation to manage one of the facilities. I have accomplished those goals that I had set for myself when I came here. In those moments when I wanted to throw in the towel, it was the support and love from the staff that boosted my courage and strength to continue on. I have found a niche in society in which I can continue to grow that does not limit my abilities or achievements. But more than this, I have found myself – who I am, what I really believe, and what I am truly capable of. I have identified my strengths and weaknesses and have learned to admit rather than deny the truths of my life. Today, I am the general administrative manager for the Transitional Housing Center in which I once lived. Roger is currently managing the original facility to which I was assigned, and continues to work full time elsewhere, as well. We love our work! It’s a ministry! How blessed to touch other lives!
My husband and I set a seven-year goal when I graduated from college: to own our own home. We believe that we may be able to reach that by this coming December—only two and a half years into our plan. We know that it is our Heavenly Father’s hand that holds us and guides us, and we extend love and appreciation to St. Vincent de Paul and staff for helping us raise our family up from desperation to declaration—from poverty to prosperity. Our hope is to give back at least a little of what you have all shared with us.