There are nightmare scenarios no one wants to think about.
One struck a Westport man named Gary.
His wife died 7 years ago, of stomach cancer. Their 3rd child had just been born.
Gary
Gary raised them on his own, helping them move beyond their devastating loss. Proudly, he says, they are “growing as well-rounded, loving and respectful kids.”
A sales trader who deals in equities, he works on a commission-only basis. Over the past few months, business dried up.
The family lived in a very modest 2-bedroom apartment. He fell behind on his rent. Last Friday, his landlord evicted him.
Gary is 3 months behind on payments for his 2007 Jeep too. Repossession is imminent.
Two of his 3 children are living with relatives this summer. He’s spoken to Homes With Hope, but they have no housing for a single father and his family.
“I’ve done everything possible to stay positive, and provide for my children these last few years,” he says. “But I find my back up against a wall, and don’t see any other avenues to pursue.
“My credit rating suffered terribly after my wife passed, so a bank loan is not an option at present. I hope business will pick up shortly, and we will be okay.
“I am also a realist. I’m looking for new employment, but that is not an easy task these days.”
He posted those words on GoFundMe.com. It could not have been easy to ask for help like that. But he can’t think of what else to do.
A friend asked me to tell Gary’s story on “06880.” I called Gary, to get his permission.
I warned him that cyberspace can be cruel. Some readers might make snarky remarks about a Westporter — even one who has been evicted from his home — asking for help.
He’s willing to take that chance.
And I’m betting that “06880” readers will understand that Gary’s story could be any of ours.
(To make a contribution to Gary’s GoFundMe page, click here.)