Sam and Tiffany

It is dark outside and most of the city is asleep. The streets are quiet at 4am and there is an unassuming tranquility that blankets the community before the sunlight escorts everyone to where they need to be to begin the day. His alarm reminds Sam that it is a new day and he has another opportunity to earn a living building trusses. It only took him a couple weeks to find a good job in Kalispell, and his early morning entry into the workforce is necessary because he has no vehicle.

Samaritan House is about six miles from his place of employment and he rides his bike to and from every day, spending about an hour each way. If a person has never been in a situation like this, it is difficult to understand the demands put on a person to find and secure a job. Rain or shine, Sam peddles to work because he is willing to do what is needed to provide for his wife and son.

A few hours after he departs for work, Tiffany embarks upon a trip to the grocery store. Imagine transporting groceries without a car. Sam's steady employment allows them an opportunity to purchase what they need and still put a little money aside. Tiffany does the best she can being selective when she shops. With limited capabilities to haul what she buys, a stroller is the best option. She carefully loads what she can to transport the food home, even if this means multiple trips at times.

Sam and Tiffany left Oregon with the best of intentions; Life rarely takes our intentions into account, however. They cope every day with each obstacle that would seek to victimize them if they allowed themselves to waiver. Sam's reentry into Kalispell was nothing like he imagined or wanted, but he and his wife refuse to give up. Every day there are people like this couple who find themselves on the brink of homelessness simply because their situation takes a turn and they don't know how to respond.

Viewing homelessness from an outside perspective provides only a narrow glimpse of a vast world. There are obvious issues affecting the homeless that any observer can see or allude to, but these do not paint a holistic picture of what a transient life entails. And while a lack of permanent housing, non-existent medical care, and scarcity of finances are glaring problems, these are the tip of an iceberg that plummets well below the view and understanding of people who have not dealt with homelessness.

Homelessness is not the same as being lazy or criminal or expectant of others to do everything for you. Sam and Tiffany are living testimonies that the American dream takes several different paths for some people. It is an attitude and refusal to be victimized that makes this country great. Just ask this couple.