Life often takes us on unexpected journeys, some more painful than others. At our self-storage facility, we witness a myriad of human stories — stories of transition, hope, and heartbreak. Jenny is one of those stories that we won’t forget.
Jenny arrived at our facility on a chilly Monday morning, her eyes red and swollen from sleepless nights and tears she could no longer hold back. Her two children, Carley, 8, and Samuel, 5, clung to her sides as if she were a life raft keeping them afloat in a moody sea. Carley, with her blonde curls tied back in a ponytail, clutched her favourite stuffed unicorn, while Samuel, his brown hair messy from a rushed morning, held onto a worn action figure. They looked confused, too young to fully understand the storm their family was weathering but old enough to sense their world had been irreparably changed.
Jenny and her husband had been married for over a decade. Together, they had built a life, a home, and a family. But as life sometimes goes, cracks began to form, and what once seemed unshakable eventually crumbled. The marriage had ended, leaving Jenny to pick up the pieces and navigate the uncharted waters of single parenthood.
The marital home, once filled with love and laughter, was now a place of painful memories. Selling it was the only way forward, but the process was neither quick nor easy. With no immediate place to move, Jenny made the difficult decision to return to her childhood home, moving back in with her ageing parents while she figured out her next steps. It was humbling and bittersweet — a reminder of where her journey began, now serving as a safety net as she worked to rebuild her life.
She walked through our doors with a small trailer packed with the tangible remnants of a life she was trying to leave behind. There were boxes labelled with handwritten notes: Carley’s Baby Clothes, Samuel’s Art Projects, Family Photos. Each item told a story, a snapshot of happier times. As she unpacked the trailer into her storage unit, Jenny’s hands trembled slightly, like leaves quivering in a cold wind. Every box was a reminder of what was lost and what still needed to be protected for her children.
“I don’t know how I’m going to do this,” she confided in a quiet voice, tears pooling in her eyes. “They need me to be strong, but I feel like I’m barely holding it together.”
Carley and Samuel sat nearby on a blanket Jenny had laid out, quietly colouring. Carley looked up at her mother and, as if sensing her despair, whispered, “It’s okay, Mommy. We’re here.”
It was a moment both heartbreaking and profound. Jenny smiled weakly, brushing away her tears. Her children were her reason to keep going, her source of strength amid the chaos.
Over the next few weeks, Jenny visited her storage unit often. Sometimes she’d bring items to add; other times, she’d simply sit in the space, sorting through the past while trying to envision a future. It wasn’t just a unit for her possessions; it became a refuge, a quiet corner where she could grieve, reflect, and rebuild.
One day, as she was organising boxes, Jenny found a forgotten album of family photos. She sat on the cold concrete floor, flipping through the pages. There were pictures of family beach holidays, birthdays, and everyday moments filled with laughter. The memories were bittersweet, but they reminded her of the love and joy that had once been. It gave her hope that, despite the pain, she could create new memories for Carley and Samuel.
“This isn’t where I thought I’d be,” Jenny said to one of our staff members, “but I’m grateful to have this space. It feels like the only stable thing in my life right now.”
Jenny’s story is one of resilience. While her heartache is palpable, so is her determination to provide a stable and loving environment for her children. She reminds us that sometimes, storage isn’t just about storing belongings — it’s about safeguarding memories, preserving pieces of ourselves, and finding a safe space to heal.
To Jenny, Carley, and Samuel: we see you. We’re here for you. And we’re honoured to play a small role in your journey toward healing and new beginnings.
“Sometimes the things we can’t change end up changing us”
