Living Like an Animal Alongside the Road

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be homeless?
Our member, Tracey, offers us an intimate look at the several months he spent without permanent housing:

By: Tracey B.

Living like an animal alongside the road
Laying hard and sleeping light
Living like an animal alongside the road
From the early night to morning light
Living like an animal alongside the road
At times I woke up hard and cold
Feeling like I was run down old
Sleeping like an animal alongside the road
At times I wondered if I'd survive
One day at a time I stayed alive
Other times I slept hard and cold
'Cause I forgot that all important cardboard
Living like an animal alongside the road
'Cause I was sleeping like an animal alongside the road.
And I survived with hard strife
Living like an animal alongside the road.
At times I wonder if I’ll be alive
I was worse than an animal alongside the road
It was the hardest life I’ve ever known
Living like an animal alongside the road
I tell you it’s something I’ll never forget
It was long-term pain and torment
Living like an animal alongside the road
Worse than an animal alongside the road.

By Jillianne Bandstra

Jillianne never grew out of the childhood “But, why?” stage. This insatiable curiosity led her to get two masters degrees (Adult Ed. & MBA). Jillianne can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon than listening to someone’s story and getting a glimpse of the unseen history that we all hold. She believes there is beauty and value in all our stories, even if they’re messy. Outside of her work as our Communications Manager, you’ll find her chasing middle-schoolers in her role as a Youth Director and stepping on Legos left by her two young boys.