Empower a Mother's Journey to Education

Life had always been a balancing act for me, a loving and dedicated parent. But the delicate balance was shattered one morning in March of 2022 when my husband suddenly passed, leaving behind a whirlwind of confusion, hurt, and uncertainty. Overnight, I became a single parent to two young children, Hunter and Chloe. The once-shared responsibilities now fell squarely on my shoulders.

In the early days, I felt overwhelmed. Each morning was a struggle, navigating the chaos of breakfast, school drop-offs, and a demanding job that barely paid the bills. The evenings were no better, filled with homework battles, dinner preparations, and bedtime routines that seemed never-ending. Exhaustion became a constant companion, and moments of solitude a distant memory.

One night, after tucking in the kids and collapsing onto the worn-out couch, my mind wandered to the dreams that had been shelved years ago. I had always wanted to go back to school, to earn a degree that would open doors to a better career and a more secure future. But life, as it often does, had thrown curveballs, and those dreams had been buried under layers of responsibility and sacrifice.

As the weeks turned into months, a small seed of determination began to take root in my heart. The daily struggles were a stark reminder that something needed to change. I wanted more than just to survive; I wanted to thrive, for the sake of Hunter and Chloe. It was time to revisit those old dreams, to dust them off and breathe life back into them.

One evening, after the kids were asleep, I sat down at the kitchen table, laptop open, and began researching what it would take to return back to school. The more I read, the clearer the vision became. It wouldn’t be easy, juggling school with parenting and work, but the end goal was worth every sacrifice. A degree would mean better job prospects, a stable income, and most importantly, a brighter future for Hunter and Chloe.

The first step was the hardest: enrolling in community college courses that fit into the already packed schedule. But once again I found to have hurdles in my way of obtaining my dream to go back to school. I went to the campus and spoke to registration/financial aid and found out that I have an outstanding balance. In order for me to pursue my dreams of going back to school and obtaining the degree I’ve worked so hard for I have to pay the balance off in full to lift the hold on my account.

I cannot wait for my new routine to began to take shape. My kids are also inspired by my perseverance. Hunter wants to start classes in the fall with me and finally has a light in his eyes again. We’re all clinging on to the hope that help will come our way through faith in people.

I promise my hard work will pay off. My ultimate goal is to become a registered nurse and with each completed course, my dream will come closer to reality.

With the degree will come new job opportunities, a stable income, and a sense of accomplishment that has been missing for so long. The struggles of single parenthood won’t disappear, but they will now coupled with a sense of hope and purpose.

I am going to show Hunter and Chloe the importance of resilience, hard work, and never giving up on dreams. I want to become more than just a parent; I want to become a role model, proving that even in the face of adversity, it’s possible to rewrite one’s story and create a better future.