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Hi! I'm Eden Strong
(or that is my pen name to be more accurate)
Yes I am a real person and this is my real life. Everything written in this blog is real and all the people in it are real. The life, experiences, memories, traumas, and really bad dates are all real. These are my real struggles, failures, triumphs, and dreams.
Everything on here is very real and all written under a very fake name.
"If you are so real then why do you hide your real life identity?"
Well for starters, have you actually read this blog? It would be a little strange for me to go around handing out these intimate life details to everyone I know. Most importantly though, the Internet is a big wide world of crazy and while I believe strongly enough in the message of this blog to continue writing it, I have an obligation to my children to protect them in every way that I can. Not to mention there's the whole crazy ex and the disowned family thing....
Do you think you know who I am in real life? Sweet deal! Send me a message and we can chat, but I would appreciate it if you would keep my identity to yourself. I know, it would be so much fun to blow my cover and feel super smart, but even if you dislike my blog, please choose the higher road and respect the privacy and safety of my children.
If you are a company looking to hire me, Mr. Attorney Man would be happy to confirm my identity with your legal department, just send me an email.
If you are a reader just looking for a little proof that I exist, here are a few of the also very real people from my life and from this blog.
(For the story behind these pictures click here).
(For the story behind these pictures click here).
So am I real?
Well I know I am, but ultimately that is something you are going to have to decide for yourself. I do hope you stick around though, I'd love to get to know you.
Well I know I am, but ultimately that is something you are going to have to decide for yourself. I do hope you stick around though, I'd love to get to know you.
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At least you're trying to do your best...GOOD for you!
ReplyDeleteToo bad you can't get a woman's mag to sponsor your writings...Would help you LOTS!
Stay STRONG!
Haha, well hey, if you know anyone... ;)
Delete*hugs*
Eden have you ever sent any of your articles to http://www.xojane.com? I really like your articles and wish all the best and I'll keep reading them.
ReplyDeleteI have! I've written for them several time :) If you go to my "looking for more?" tab you will find my XOJane bio page.
DeleteI sent you a message via Facebook (from K Famer) Would love to know if I can send something in particular.
ReplyDeleteI sent you a message reply, thank you!
DeleteHi, are you the same Eden Strong that wrote the article about a mom on welfare? If so, I can't help but think there's people who will be willing to help, myself included. You seem incredibly talented--I know there are ghost-writing jobs avaialble all the time. Also, you might want to consider Fiverr, as it has a lot of people looking for help in writing. I would even consider working with you and paying you for help on some books I am planning to publish on Amazon. Please email me if you would like to discuss further. Thanks, and don't worry, things are going to improve soon. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Errol, just leave me your email address and I'll get back to you!
DeleteI want to buy your kids each a toy on their list please email me maloriestockmann@yahoo.com
Deleteerrol.greene@gmail.com-- let me know if you are still in need. I just saw this response. Something tells me your kids are going to have a great Christmas after all. :)
DeleteI have a feeling that my kids are going to be well taken care of, thank you SO much for caring :)
DeleteEden, I have been where you are. Even though my husband never stopped supporting the kids, it was really hard. When people started talking about Christmas, I would burst into tears. I would love to help - What would eacy of your kids like? The puppy toy and...? Cant do much but I can manage one toy each!!!
ReplyDeleteJane you are amazing :) I posted some information on my Facebook page regarding my PO Box and in turn, sending excess toys to the shelters that my nonprofit works with. Thank YOU for being so awesome!!
DeleteI'm with those above. My daughter asked for a Kitty Surprise . . . what can I do to help? We've all been there. Hoping that this season picks up for you.
ReplyDeleteCourtney you are AMAZING! I posted some contact info on my Facebook page, thank you SO much for your amazing offer!
DeleteHow do I get in contact with?
ReplyDeletewith you*
ReplyDeleteHow do I get in contact with you?
ReplyDeleteYou can reach me at notmyshametobear@gmail.com
DeleteWould you allow me to buy a Puppy Surprise for you? And a gift for your son as well? I'd love to send you money too.
ReplyDeleteJim, you are TOO kind. I posted some contact/Christmas info on my Facebook page, thank you SO much for reading!
DeleteI was very young when my father too abandoned my brother sister and I. No support nothing from him. Santa skipped our house a few times and it was hard to open empty cabinets in the kitchen. I remember feeling like we had no one no grandma's grandpa's aunts or uncles. Just our MOM!!! Now I am in my 30s and she is still my biggest hero. As u will be to your children. It takes a strong woman to do what you are doing so hold your head high.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that with me :) I hope one day my kids think as highly of me!
DeleteWhen you think you've got it rough, there's always someone who's got it worse. I've been where you are. Having to tell my children why there's nothing under the tree or why we didn't even have a tree. I got to the place where if I heard just one more person say "God never gives you more than you can bear." I was going to go absolutely nuts. There's absolutely no shame in how you're doing. It takes a strong person to do what you've done and will continue to do until times get better. And believe me they will get better. My children are grown now but both are very giving adults and willing to help the next person along the way. I'm now with someone whom I met ions ago and he treats me like a "Queen", gets along well with my children and has been there for my daughter as she finishes college. She even asks for his opinion now instead of mine sometimes. So, hang tough, brighter days are ahead. I would love to contact you somehow and help you with a little bit of your Christmas. We have 5 kids between us and 9 grand-children, but we'll share what we have. Please let me know how or where to contact you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your incredible encouragment, I really do have the BEST readers!! Thank you for taking the time to write all of that out :) And I am SO glad that you have someone who treats you like a queen :)
DeleteYou can reach me at notmyshametobear@gmail.com
please email me at christmashelper2015@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWell that is a neat email address lol! I've sent you an email :)
DeleteSend in your stories to scarymommy.com they pay $100 per submission. I bet one story could buy a puppy surprise :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tip, I do write for them often!! They are amazing to work with :)
DeleteI will republish on my own blog
ReplyDeleteI just read your story on yahoo. I would love to help out to make this a great Christmas for you and your children. You deserve to have an amazing holiday too. G-d bless you and your children. They are so incredibly lucky to have you. Please please please email me at acruz2515@yahoo.com.
ReplyDeleteI sent you an email :) Thank you!
DeleteHi! Eden
ReplyDeleteI would Love to help You in anyway I can to make sure Your Children have a Wonderful Christmas and that You will have a Wonderful Christmas too. my email address is wbm69@hotmail.com
I've sent you an email :)
DeleteDo they have a Gift Mart in your area? It was started by a church in our area and has grown throughout many communities. People donate gifts and then, with dignity and choice, families with finacial need can go and shop and buy their own gifts for their children for $2 (no matter the gift). All money raised is then put into local schools. There is even a gift wrapping station and free child care to take both of those worries out of the equation while the parents shop. Not sure if you have anyting like that, but it is a wonderful experience.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in a similar situation. My family received presents from a family that sponsored us. We also had our food (both weekly and for holidays) given to us by a local food pantry. Today, I am a mom of 4 and I try to show my children how to take care of others because that is what we need to do as humans and Christians...just as was done for me and my family 20+ years ago. Please contact me if there are ways I can help make your Christmas special. And I know, it is not about the toys, but it is about giving, caring and showing love. :) Shelli5309@yahoo.com
You know what, I just happened to hear of Gift Mart for the first time a couple weeks ago. We do not have one specifically in the area where I live, but the concept is AMAZING. I love that instead of being handed a toy from a donation bin that parents have the opportunity to choose what their kids would like, and furthermore, to be able to "shop." I know that sounds silly but I'd love to be able to shop for my kids, it's almost a parenting experience. Plus I'd love to pay a few dollars since the whole experience is already so humbling!
DeleteI will send you an email, thank you :)
If u guys are real why hiding ur faces????
ReplyDeleteTo protect my identity I asked them to.
DeleteEdith,
ReplyDeleteI can totally understand you protecting your privacy, because it comes down to the well-being and privacy of your children. Im a mother of a little girl, and I would do everyhting and anything for her well-being.
Personally, I can undesrtand the concealing of your identity and anyone who doesn't, well hey...they ain't paying your bills!! It's as simple as that!
I read your article through Yahoo! I have to tell you, it truly impacted me, becuase I can relate in a personal level.
Just want to express how touching it is to know there are people similar to myself and that there is so much more in the interior that there is on the exterior. But I'm so glad you pointed the obvious. People will always judge, lood down upon and criticize.
Thank you for sharing that with me :)
DeleteI just read one of your articles just because I'm on welfare... It was nothing short than amazing, I just want to say you hit every point head on its terrible for the single parents who are really struggling and need to go to public assistance to bridge that gap between surviving and not living at all, thank you so much for the great read and keep it up!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!!
DeleteDear Eden, I, too, write under an alias as my family is still living and I wouldn't want to embarrass them, ( nor do I need their rath) I love your blog, you write with such passion. I do know that thearpy saved my life, I hope that you have taken advantage of a therapist. As I am in my 60ies, I have a different vantage point. I have forgiven many for what happened I my childhood. My Mother was surely Manic Depressive and I believe she did the best she could. In her Manic phases, she was delightful, in her depressive state, getting thrown down the stairs was a blessing as it was over quickly. Because I
ReplyDeleteinherited her affliction, I have always tried to be perfect, I failed miserably in my marriage to a good man but he was verbally abusive, I traded one abuse for another. I was unfaithful to him while looking for the ,"perfect" man. But, I have 2 pretty terrific kids age 37 and 35 and while they have their own issues revolving around my infidelity they are loving, kind, contributing members of society. As of today I have a wonderful husband , we actually met in HS, 3 great adult stepchildren and with lots of therapy and medication understand why I did what I did, NO excuses, I take full responsibility and live with it every day of my life. Would love to hear about your Non-Profit and if you have Gofundme page. Many blessings to you and your family. ME
I'm so happy to hear that you are doing better, and yay for the wonderful husband! I'm glad you have found your happiness :)
DeleteI did see a wonderful therapist for a while and she helped immensely! I do not have a gofundme page, but thank you for asking :)
And thank you for the kind words!!
*hugs*
Eden, I saw your article on Yahoo about being ashamed of being on welfare. Don't ever be ashamed of doing what you have to do to provide a home and stability for your children. Your husband should be ashamed for abandoning you and his children the way he did. I wish I could do more for you, but I just needed to let you know that having to rely on welfare is something that good people have to do sometimes. I've been there myself. Hold your head high and know that you are providing for your kids the best that you can right now.
ReplyDeleteThank you Molly :) Your words mean a lot to me :)
Delete*hugs*
Eden, I read your article on Yahoo and your story mirrors mine. The only difference is I allowed love to blind me and look past my husband's flaws and believe I could help him to get out of debt and become successful like myself. But now I'm left with no job, a pile of debt and bad credit because of him (I'm partially to blame too for allowing him to put me in that position). But I have to say, I am much happier now that he's out of my life. I'll be celebrating once are divorce is finalized and he's forced to help with taking care of his child by paying child support.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your stories and I hope that you and your children are doing better. Also, you really should consider writing a book!
Your story is very common as well in terms of looking past your husband's flaws and believing you could help him. I thought that about my ex for a long time, and many amazing, compassionate, kind-hearted women have done — and are doing — exactly that. You were too sweet and he didn't deserve the time and effort you put into him if he wasn't willing to work just as hard.
DeleteI wish you the best of luck in the new chapter of your life. Don't ever forget how awesome you are!
I just read your post about being ashamed of being on welfare. I'm glad it's there and can help you. However, you didn't seem to reflect about the people that are 'judging' you. From my point of view, here's what I see:
ReplyDeleteI'm turning 50 next month. I'm a single man, educated, worked my whole life. One thing I've always wanted was to find someone and start a family. When I see single mom's using welfare, I think, "why didn't they choose me?" Instead, my tax money goes to pay to raise someone else's kids. I know, life isn't fair. But still....
Shouldn't women at least acknowledge that they made a bad choice? Shouldn't there be some consequence? What incentive do women have to forego the 'bad boy' type and choose a man that is responsible?
I've found that people on government assistance think the money comes from the government when it really comes from people like me when I pay taxes. Please don't misunderstand me, I'm happy to help someone down on their luck. However, it's frustrating that I see having a family as a dream that will never happen. Instead, I get to pay for someone else's.
You're not paying for anybody else's life. Get over yourself and deal with your frustration for being alone in a healthy way. More of our taxes go to war related funds and ridiculous politicians than people on welfare. Not to mention if you did any research regarding benefits, you'd know that cash assistance is time limited and you have to be working some sort of job or looking through jobs and family services for at least 20 hrs per week. The issue is living under the threshold of poverty. Which she was after her husband left her. If you read "so you think I drive a Cadillac", you'll see that women are disproportionately impoverished after divorce or long term relationships end. It's not because they're just having babies to get the money (which isn't that much money anyway). Google Clinton's welfare reform and see what changes came about. Plus this is what programs like this are for, to help people when they need it. You're reasoning that this single mom could have been with you and not on welfare has nothing to do with the price of tea in China. It has to do with you feeling like you should be with someone and you need to resolve those feelings in therapy it on this blog where people are coming to offer support for the writer. By the way I'm a social worker and a therapist in case you need one.
DeleteThere's plent to be mad about in society, blaming an anonymous woman for you being lonely at 50 isn't going to solve it.
Perhaps you should adjust your expectations. Certainly there are women who would love to be with you. Do you only want outwardly pretty women? Do you have unrealistic expectations from a woman? Just as you think women should "settle" for a provider perhaps you need to "settle" also and be with a woman who is a little heavy, or isn't beautiful on the outside. If truly no one wants to be with you get counseling. I'm betting you are wanting Elizabeth Taylor but you are not a Richard Burton. there are other qualities that mean more than outward appearances.
DeleteI have been where you are. I left my cheating, abusive fiancé while pregnant with my son. SC WIC and SNAP are much easier to get and housing waits can be much shorter. I got off Section 8 and bought a house when my son was 7 but have had to apply for SNAP several times since due to job changes.
ReplyDeleteMy son is now 20 and I have a good career. I spent most of his life working multiple jobs and an occasion I still do.
I know of several legitimate, flexible work from home companies that do customer service by phone. Let me know if you are interested. It would prevent you from needing child care.
It gets better. My son did sports for free by us picking up bottles after practice and as a teen by doing yard work and helping with whatever was needed, he was able to be coached by one of the top pole vault coaches in the country. There are ways to provide all the needs and extras as a single mom.
I hope that you are doing better now :) Your son was/is very blessed to have a mom who worked as hard as you did to provide him with a good life :)
DeleteI came across your story on the internet and as a single parent, I can relate. I am glad things are working out more for you now. You write very eloquently and have a talent for sharing honestly from your heart without sounding bitter. That is one of the most important gifts you can give your children. Well done! God's blessings and all the best for your future.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Julie :) You put a big smile on my face!
DeleteDeena from Cali, again (yeah, procrastination day at work). Just went on this page ('cause I have no doubt you are wonderfully real--but "Eden Strong" is a damned fine pseudonym). I seriously heart Mr. Attorney Man. He restores my faith in attorneys doing the right thing--cause I work with them...going on 20 year. 'Nuff said.
ReplyDeleteHaha, hey, I'm happy to help you procrastinate!!
DeleteThank you! I had fun picking out my name! Eden because this blog is my happy place at the beginning of my journey, and Strong because some days that's all I feel like I've got going for me (and some days its basically just what I hope for lol!)
You are right, Mr. Attorney Man is one-of-a-kind and the world definitely needs more like him. I tell him all the time how blessed I am to have his help :)
I'm thrilled that you've found your way here and I hope you stick around!