Her heart still skips a beat 21 years later

My name is Denise Merrill and I am very happy to say that I just paid my final Habitat for Humanity mortgage payment. Thank you to all the people who work and volunteer for Habitat. You gave me the help and support I needed to become a home owner. I would like to give you a small view of what this process has been like for me. I so appreciate all of you for your dedication and caring.
 
When I was accepted into the program, I was a single parent of two children, working at a good job that I loved but one that didn't pay enough. We lived in Troy Housing Authority housing, and I began to feel hopeless, like I'd never be able to provide a better home for my kids and me. Luckily, I had heard that Habitat was starting in Rensselaer County and they needed volunteers for a blitz build planned to happen at HVCC. 

The build was to be held on Labor Day Weekend 1997. Since I had been searching for a volunteer opportunity for my son and me, this seemed like this a great way to get involved. When we arrived, there was a large crowd of people doing various projects on the home. We were welcomed and were asked to help lay the floor. I had very little skill but that didn't matter as we had more skilled volunteers to guide us. 
 
During this experience I spoke to soon to be homeowners who explained that they were working off their sweat equity hours. They explained the criteria for owning their own home, and I realized that I might be eligible. As you can imagine, I quickly filled out all paperwork and found out I was selected on April 1, 1998.  I made Patrick (the head of the selection committee) tell me five times that it wasn't an April Fool’s Day trick. I was at work when I got the news and thought I might faint because I was so overwhelmed with shock and pure joy.  

We began building our house on Labor Day Weekend 1998 and my life has never been the same. Volunteers, friends, and family all gave their time to help me build my beautiful home. It can be a long and sometimes difficult process, but all I needed to do was look at all of those wonderful people who were so excited for me and their enthusiasm was infectious. This gave me the strength to keep going.

I've lived in my house for 21 years now and my heart still skips a beat every time I pull up and see my beautiful home. I ask myself how did I get so blessed. I was able to raise my kids in a great home and neighborhood. I am happy to say that they are both thriving and have given me three beautiful grandchildren. I have Sunday and holiday dinners at the house as often as possible. 
 
My self-esteem was raised by the experience with Habitat and I've been able to do better in all aspects of my life. I paid my mortgage, taxes and insurance each month for 21 years, and now I own my home. I couldn't have done this without Habitat and all of your wonderful people. Whatever you do for the organization please know that, as homeowners, we realize how hard you work to make our lives so much better every day. I will now fly on my own using all of the skills I've learned to pay it forward to others. Please know I will never forget my experiences with you all and Habitat for Humanity.
 
 Sincerely, 
 Denise Merrill
 Grateful Homeowner