This one listens with a gentle pursed smile as she clicks away at her keyboard inputting data into her computer, adding yet another case to her already heavy workload. She stops, sits back and looks into my eyes and at my children. Instead of indifference, there is compassion reflected in them as our story and nightmare unfold. This one is different. As I peer out through my own tear filled eyes, I realize that other eyes are looking back at me glistening with tears. It finally dawns on me that a connection has been made. This person genuinely cares. Her name is Lillye.

This woman, with her big brown eyes moist with tears, smiles at me and gives me options. Options; now there's something I feel I haven't had for quite some time ...in fact, years! She offers support as well: a voucher to take care of our immediate needs (food, shampoo, laundry detergent, etc.), a voucher to pay for the week's stay in the domestic violence shelter, a game for my boys (ages 7 and 9) to play. A game that distracts them from the tedious neverending trail of paperwork, and to kill time; time that passes ever so slowly while waiting for one's life to improve ...change.

The kindness and gentleness of this woman brings tears to my eyes yet again. I was without hope, without faith, without the fortitude to step forward in life and face another disappointing day. I am empty, but giving up is not an option for the sake of my children. I am overcome. I try to bite my lip to keep from crying in public. Too late, a few escape. I chide myself, "Take a deep breath, Mindy. Pull the tears back in and force your quivering chin to stop! You're embarrassing yourself. Don't be pitiful. Okay, I can do this! I know I can."

Lillye says to come back again next week and we'll work together from there ...come up with more options. Another deep breath ...and we go.