The Calendar on the Wall

There’s a calendar hanging on the wall in our kitchen. It’s nothing fancy—just one of those free ones you get from the grocery store, with bright pictures of landscapes.

For years, that calendar was just background. A place to jot down soccer practices, birthdays, doctor’s appointments. But during the months we were falling behind on our mortgage, it became something else. It became a reminder of deadlines, of time slipping away, of how quickly things can change.

When the Numbers Stopped Adding Up

We were never extravagant. We budgeted, we saved when we could, and we tried to live within our means. But all it takes is a few things happening at once to unravel everything.

A medical emergency drained our savings. My hours at work were reduced. Unexpected car repairs ate up what little cushion we had left. Soon, we were using credit cards just to cover groceries, telling ourselves we’d pay them off “next month.”

But next month never came. Instead, the notices from the bank began arriving, each one more serious than the last.

The Day I Circled the Date

One afternoon, I opened the latest envelope, my stomach already tight. Inside was the Notice of Default.

I went straight to the calendar on the wall and circled the date it gave us—the deadline. It was like a countdown clock, hanging there in plain sight. Every time I passed through the kitchen, it felt like it was staring back at me, reminding me how little time we had left.

Living in the Shadows of Deadlines

We didn’t talk about it much at first. To neighbors and friends, we kept smiling, acting like everything was fine. But inside, every day felt heavier than the one before.

The calendar became both a tool and a torment. We marked down every phone call we needed to make, every piece of paperwork we had to send, and every deadline we couldn’t miss. But each new date only made the pressure worse.

At night, when the house was quiet, I’d sit at the table staring at that calendar, wondering if those squares were counting down to the day we’d lose everything.

The Turning Point

One evening, my husband walked into the kitchen and found me sitting there, staring at the wall. He put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Let’s stop looking at the days as an ending. Let’s use them to start over.”

That simple shift changed everything.

Fighting Back

The next morning, we spread out every letter and bill across the table. We made phone calls, researched our rights, and looked into every option we could find.

We learned how to request hardship assistance, how to communicate directly with our lender, and which documents we needed to submit to prove our situation. It was overwhelming, but at least we were moving forward instead of standing still.

I began writing deadlines on the calendar differently—not as reminders of what we might lose, but as markers of progress.

The Day We Found Hope Again

Months later, another envelope arrived. This time, when I opened it, the words gave me something I hadn’t felt in a long time: relief. The foreclosure process had been paused.

I went to the kitchen, picked up the pen, and circled that date on the calendar. But this time, it wasn’t because I was afraid. It was because we had won a little more time, and with it, a little more hope.

What I Know Now

That calendar is still hanging in the kitchen. The pictures are faded, and the pages are curled, but I keep it there as a reminder. Not of fear, but of resilience.

If you’re staring at your own deadlines right now, wondering if it’s already too late, I want you to know this: it isn’t. There are options. There is help. And there’s still time to fight for what matters.

Author’s Note:

This story is inspired by real families who’ve faced foreclosure and found a way forward. If you’re going through something similar, David Litt at 4Closure Rescue has over 26 years of experience helping homeowners with compassion and clarity. You can reach him at 224-344-5700.