As someone who grew up poor raised by a single mother who often had to choose between keeping a roof over our heads or buying food, the issue of poverty hits close to home. Often in America we think that poverty and hunger belongs to third world countries, but the reality is that a large percentage of our citizens are below the poverty line. Families, senior citizens, children. In a country that is obsessed with food, weight and consumerism it is a crime that people go hungry everyday. We have enough food- and money- to feed every citizen. I am involved with my local food bank- The Greater Chicago Food Depository, but Feeding America is a not-for- profit charity that services the entire country. Listed below are a few statistics that I hope illustrates how prevalent poverty- and hunger- are:

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In 2008, 39.8 million people (13.2 percent) were in poverty.
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In 2008, 8.1 (10.3% percent) million families were in poverty.
* In 2008, 22.1 million (11.7 percent) of people aged 18-64 were in poverty.
* In 2008, 14 million (19 percent) children under the age of 18 were in poverty.
* In 2008, 3.6 million (9.7 percent) seniors 65 and older were in poverty.

Joy is reconnecting with the things that are important to you. These past few months have been tough for me. This is the most stressed out I've been pretty much ever. But one thing - actually two things- that have come out of it is that what I want and what I don't want out of my life has been reconfirmed. Also, my sense of faith and belief in hope and the future has been reawakened. When you're going through a tough time the only thing you truly have to hold on to is faith and the belief that life is transient and this too shall pass. I am still stressed out but I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. I think I will have some tough choices to make but that having the courage and the faith to make them is what will determine how authentic my life will be. I have been writing more and have reconnected with the joy of creativity which has been dormant for me to be honest.