Steven and Jessica (Part One)

Character is not revealed when a person is knocked down; it is measured when they get back up again. This is the story of Steven and Jessica and how a dream can evolve into a nightmare that seems impossible to wake from. This is the story of a family who chose to persevere rather than become a statistic. And this tale is far from over... They are still writing their narrative every day.

Life in Massachusetts differs greatly from life in Montana. Traffic clogs streets that wind between skyscrapers and storefronts. People congest sidewalks and alleys and the general hustle and bustle of organized chaos directs everyone where to go. Having grown up and lived in Massachusetts their entire lives, neither Steven or Jessica ever set foot outside that state. Steven was a successful provider, who steadily worked construction jobs as well as body work on automobiles. Jessica suffered from epilepsy and her medical costs, as well as their rent and other various expenses, were always taken care of.

Life for the couple and their three children was not much different than life for most families in America. And that is entirely the point. Few people see homelessness darkening their doorstep. It rarely announces itself with fanfare or warning. For Steven and Jessica's family, life was about to change and obstacles and challenges would soon be presented that only happened to other people. The unknowing road they would embark upon began with good intentions and honest anticipation for a better life. There is a sad common perception that people who become homeless deserve it; that homelessness is some sort of great karmic equalizer that punishes those who need to become living warning-signs to the rest of the universe.

Steven and Jessica would ask you to lay your prejudice down and consider their story. And this is not hard to do. Neither of them are substance abusers. There was no deviation into criminal enterprises or any refusal to work. Alcoholism and gambling were never a factor in this family's equation and my name or your name could be swapped into the narrative just as easily as anyone else's. Over the next two weeks, I will attempt to unpack their story and provide some insight on a family living in Kalispell.

This is a family who does not demonstrate character because they are trying to be an example to the world. This is a family who demonstrates character because they know it is not a series of isolated events strung together in various situations. It is a lifestyle.