Fran and Lou found that they could both stay at the shelter, but they would not be staying together in one room. The shelter has separate sleeping quarters for single men, single women, and families with children. They both knew this separation would be very difficult. Fran recounts, "This is the hardest thing besides losing a child that a married couple could go through. They're homeless. They have no place to call their own and be together. That has been the hardest part of this entire thing - being separated. Maybe being married for 31 years means that we've gone through a lot so we're strong enough to survive this, but it's still the toughest thing."

 

 

In February, Lou got a job. "That was the greatest feeling in the world to finally be officially working after seven years. The morale boost that you get after you have been unemployed for so long to be able to go back to full time is quite something. It's exhilarating." 

 

 

Fran and Lou are both appreciative of the support they received at Cross Roads House. Fran relates, "Sometimes when you're going through this, your life has been turned upside down so you don't know which way to turn. Just being able to have a bed, being able to sleep, getting food, and knowing that you're safe, it makes you feel a little better about yourself."