When I began penning my thoughts for this week’s column, I thought about how the actions of strangers led me to be penniless and stranded for a weekend at an emergency shelter.
Not only do I believe I was scammed out of cash after responding to an online advert for a room to rent, from a Richard on a Facebook community page, but the rental agency who owes me a refund after vacating the premises I rented for two years, is yet to refund me.
The two separate incidents left me without two large deposits to date.
While I wanted nothing more than to focus the subject of the column on how this world is filled with unscrupulous people, unethical/ unprofessional estate agents and bullies, I want to give thanks and gratitude to the kind individuals who stepped in to assist me.
In my dealings with people, I’m someone who appreciates honesty, integrity and being treated fairly. I’m someone who pays my rent and bills on time, so this experience certainly felt like a huge slap in the face.
It made me think of a time, many years ago, when four expensive cellphones were stolen from me.
The first phone was stolen while I was at work, sitting in court pews covering a case at the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court (I should have seen that coming since criminals frequent courtrooms for bail applications/ court cases/ trials).
The second phone was stolen at an awards evening in Johannesburg and the third when I forgot my cellphone on a restaurant table.
A few years later, a fourth phone was stolen when I was robbed at knife-point at St James Beach.
So, in my professional and personal capacity I’m very aware of the crime and theft occurring daily in society.
This experience however reminded me that you don’t only find nasty, unethical people in this world….there are so many genuine kind people among us.
In a short time, in the space of one day, community leaders from Lavender Hill, Mark Nicholson and Lucinda Evans, assisted me with moving, having a space to store my belongings and a safe space to sleep.
The shelter, is an emergency shelter for children that was opened in Tokai at the end of last year and had no children present on the first night.
A spacious garden wrapped around the house, perfect for my fur child Pablo to frolick in.
While my mind was going to wow, I’m spending the night in a shelter, I actually realised how blessed I was to be connected with individuals who would assist me in a time of need.
My colleagues kindly went out of their way to assist, with special thanks to Nielen, her husband Simey and two children for welcoming me into their home for the duration of February.
I feel that perhaps the universe wanted me to, in this case, learn how to receive and how to ask for help.
You see – I’m someone who is very independent, I prefer to give or to have an equal exchange so this has been a tough lesson of just sitting back and receiving.
Another special thanks to Rochelle, a wonderful pet sitter and friend, who for free collected Pablo for a few hours on the chaotic day of moving, to keep him occupied and safe. I’m filled with gratitude to be surrounded by so much love and kindness.
