At 18, I stood at the threshold between youth and adulthood, walking down the aisle to receive my high school diploma. The weight of achievement was tempered by the responsibility I suddenly carried. My two young children sat in the audience, watching their mother step into an uncertain future. Motherhood had come unexpectedly, but those little ones quickly became my entire world.
While the circumstances that led to my motherhood weren’t what I had envisioned, I felt the beginnings of something greater than myself. I made a promise to myself: I would not become a statistic. The world may have had assumptions about who I was, but I was determined to defy them. More than anything, I wanted to prove to myself that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to.
With that resolve, I enrolled in community college. Balancing two toddlers at home, a part-time job, and my coursework felt like a constant juggling act. I was overwhelmed. Every day was a delicate dance between my responsibilities as a parent, an employee, and a student. It didn’t take long for me to burn out.
It was then that I made a hard decision: I hit pause. I realized that my focus needed to shift toward what truly mattered - building a stable and meaningful life for my children. The pressure to do everything at once was too much. I needed to recalibrate my vision for the future.
Taking that pause allowed me the space to reflect, adjust my priorities, and find a path forward. I understood that building a life I wanted for my children meant more than just pursuing my own success. It required sacrifices and deliberate steps forward, always motivated by the vision of a better tomorrow for them—a life full of opportunities.
My journey began with challenges, but I knew I had to persevere for my children's sake. They were my driving force, and I was determined to show them that resilience and determination could overcome any obstacle.
By 28, I was ready to return to school. My unfinished business—goals I set when I was 18—was calling me. Nine years later, I was finally in a place to pick up where I left off. It wasn’t just about personal growth anymore. It was about showing my children that, no matter the hurdles, anything is possible if you keep pushing forward.
I enrolled at Eastern University, ready to finish what I had started. With each step, I pursued my dreams with everything I had. In the years that followed, I earned my Associate’s degree, my Bachelor’s degree, and my Master’s degree—a journey that felt both surreal and incredible, given the obstacles I had overcome along the way.
But life had yet another challenge for me. During my Bachelor’s program, I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. It felt like the universe was testing my strength, but I refused to let it define me. Already balancing work, school, and parenthood, I now had cancer to fight. The treatments, the physical and emotional toll—at times it seemed unbearable. But I couldn’t afford to lose focus.
With each chemotherapy session, I leaned into the same resilience that had carried me through motherhood and school. I finished my coursework, fought through the exhaustion, and made sure my children saw that no matter what life threw at me, I would not back down.
In 2009, amid the uncertainty of the housing market crash, I made the bold choice to buy my first home. It seemed like an impossible dream, but I was determined to make it a reality. I knew it was a crucial step in building a stable future for my children. When I received the keys to that home, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. It wasn’t just a house; it was a testament to my perseverance and proof that, even in the face of adversity, I could take control of my future.
Looking back on my journey, I see that the struggles weren’t just obstacles—they were valuable lessons. They taught me the power of resilience, the importance of purpose, and how perseverance can transform even the hardest situations into something meaningful. Through it all, my children remained my greatest motivation, and I hope they’ve learned the most important lesson of all: no dream is too big, and no setback is permanent.
Today, as I look to the future, I’m ready to face whatever challenges come my way. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that we’re all capable of so much more than we think, especially when we’re fighting for something greater than ourselves.
If my story resonates with you, know this: your journey, no matter how difficult or unpredictable, is yours to shape. You have the strength to push through, to rewrite your narrative, and to achieve things you never thought possible. Don't let the setbacks or hardships define you—let them fuel your determination. Whether it's finishing school, pursuing a dream, or creating a better future for yourself and those you love, the power to succeed is within you. Take the first step today—it’s never too late to rise, to fight, and to build the life you deserve.
Add comment
Comments