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Tira and Matt Raymond don't have their own kitchen
or bathroom; they share those facilities with Matt's parents. Even
the simple act of starting their day is complicated. "Seven
adults share one bathroom," Tira says. "You can imagine
how hard it is even to take a shower in the morning."
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Tristen wants to help his parents repay
it. In his Easter basket, he received $5. He gave it to Tira: "This
is for the house, Mom," he said
A little support leads to confidence
Tristen is a 4-year-old with way too much energy to be cooped up.
Unfortunately, living in a cramped three-room addition above his
grandfather's general store doesn't provide the room he needs.
Living literally in the attic doesn't provide a good environment
for his parents, Tira and Matt Raymond either. The Raymonds don't
have their own kitchen or bathroom; they share those facilities
with Matt's parents in their home connected to the store on the
lower level. "Seven adults share one bathroom," Tira says.
"You can imagine how hard it is even to take a shower in the
morning."
The prospect of just a little privacy and the simplicity of making
a cup of coffee in her own kitchen are what excite Tira most. It's
her eagerness for these things that have her driving by the site
of her new Habitat house—which is at least 20 miles from her
current home—on a daily basis. Though it's yet just a hole
in the ground, Tira gets tears in her eyes talking about it.
"This will be a big jump for us," she explains. "We
were getting down, thinking we'd never get out on our own. But with
just a little support, a little confidence…. I don't want
anybody to think they can't do it."
She continues, "I just have so much gratitude. I can never
repay Habitat or the volunteers for this opportunity. No matter
how many sweat-equity hours I work, no matter how quickly I pay
off my mortgage—I can never repay this opportunity."
Tristen wants to help his parents repay it. In his Easter basket,
he received $5. He gave it to Tira: "This is for the house,
Mom," he said.
"He cried when I wouldn't take it from him—he wanted
to buy our new house," she says. "But I told him no. This
is something we're doing for him."
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