Ive always said life is 50% being in the right place at the right time and 50% recognizing it when it happens. Well, my sister-in-law Tammy, who has needed a break for a long time, is about to find out if the equation runs true. We found out today that the Section 8 folks have inspected the apartment the state found for her, and we’ve made arrangements for the movers to come on the 15th and move her into her new apartment. It’s a real great opportunity for her – the apartment complex is safe, clean, well-maintained, and close to every kind of shopping and transportation need she could ever want. Our hope is that she embraces this opportunity and sees it for what it is – a chance to get on her own two feet, take control of her life, and to make something of it it for a new beginning and a new life.

My feeling has always been that people given this kind of opportunity either succeed or fail, there’s no real middle ground. And why? It’s because at some point you have to take control of your own life: if you play the victim and allow your life to ebb and flow at the whim of government agencies or others dependent on the government to give them everything, you’ll fail miserably. On the other hand, if you take the opportunity available to you and make something of it, the future is endless in terms of potential.

The question, of course, is whether Tam has it within herself to embrace this opportunity. She’ll be battling nearly two decades of losing herself to the poor lifestyle choices and psychological abuse that has led to a very low self-esteem and increased dependency on others to take care of her and make decisions for her. The question is open at this point; I will say that the treatment she’s received here in Arizona has been fantastic, allowing herself precious time to get herself together. Now with the upcoming next step towards self-sufficiency we’ll see just how much courage, self-discipline, and will to succeed she has. No one is saying it won’t be tough and there will be challenges and obstacles she’ll have to overcome, but she’s got a great support system behind her and lots of folks who love her, care for her, and want her to succeed.

Today she saw the first 50% of that magical equation happen, it will be up to her to make that other 50% come true. Me, I’m crossing fingers, toes, eyes, and whatever other parts of my body I still have two of. At the very least, we get our guest bedroom back and reduce our house rabbit population down from six to four. That alone will be a cause for joy in a year that has been anything but. Please keep Tammy in your thoughts and prayers as she embarks on this new phase of her life. We’re pulling for her, I can tell you that.