What happens after devoice? When I got married I believed I was married for life. After 27 years of marriage and four children my marriage came to an end. I had two left at home to raise my son 16 and daughter 13. I was a stay at home mom for 15 years. I was an over achiever stay at home mom. I was on 3 separate school PTA boards all at one time. I volunteered at church and coached all of my kid's teams in multiple sports. I myself played in sports such as tennis, softball, volleyball, golf, racquetball, runner, and dodgeball.
Anyway when I began my Single Mom Syndrome Journey. I didn't have the faintest idea about what a role would entail as a Single Mom. I was unaware of any resources or books that could help me figure out the best way to provide for my kids, so I found myself just winging it as I went along. It is a tough way to learn life lessons, but was all I had so I made a lot of mistakes, learned from them and moved forward-wishing I had a house keeper, maid, gardener, cook and an extra $200 a month.
I spent many dark nights after my kids were in bed, just crying because I was sure I was doing this whole parent thing wrong and I was screwing up their lives. I felt I was not judged by my friends on my failed marriage who understood me and became a life-saving device that I never took for granted.
I lived paycheck to paycheck and 70% of the time in the red. I palmed items to pay a bills many times just to survive. My credit was so bad I couldn't get a loan. I look back and still wonder how in the world did I survive? I want to give a special thanks to the Coeur d Alene Booster Club for helping my kid out with football cleats, uniforms, letterman jacket, champion state ring, yearbooks, tickets for school events and bus trips. There is no way a single mom could afford it making $14 an hour. I was paying for the most important thing a roof over our heads with the basics.
I started working at Fred Meyer in the Bakery as a clerk for 4 years. They had good benefits and I got paid weekly. I worked in retail which is weekends, holidays and nights and it took me away from my family. I would miss my kids games on Saturdays and school functions in the evenings. I decided to find a job working Monday thru Friday 7am-4pm so I could start attending all the functions once again. I worked for ACI Northwest for 5 years as a dispatcher and grew into sales position. I realize I was averaging $16 an hour. I know I am capable of making more than $16 an hour. My new journey to become one of the greatest Real Estate Agents in my area.
I believe you never give up. I believe there is bigger and better goals to achieve. I believe in being honest and kind to everyone, even when your own life is hard. I believe in being loyal and a hard worker and have no fear to learn and take risk. I believe things happen for a reason. I believe in hope and to still dream no matter how old I am. At 53 years young I am going for it. I am giving it everything I got and learned from my past. It all comes down to caring for people.