I’m the picture I chose was of my daughter and myself saying our last goodbye to her father who passed away in June 2018 . I chose this picture because this was the day I made the bold choice to change my whole future . I lost the person that I had the rest of my life planned out with, so losing him was like starting over from scratch . Although I was heartbroken, I knew I had to be strong for my daughter and set the best example and be the best mom I could be to her .

I never planned to be a single mom , in a reality I don’t think anyone does . I learned not to question why God does what he does but when he took my best friend, the father of my child and husband I didn’t expect my life to change so drastically . I was heartbroken and didn’t even care about myself and didn’t see it possible to care for a one year old . I was struggling financially because of helping with funeral expenses and not being able to work because I didn’t feel mentally ready yet . Then one day my mom , who lost my own dad when I was two years old told me she was able to move forward and live through her pain and that I would be able to as well. Although I am not as strong as my mom I knew I had a little girl who still depended on me to be there and she did not understand why her daddy wasn’t coming home anymore . How do you explain to a one year old that her daddy has passed ? Especially when she’s constantly walking around the apartment looking for him and becomes upset when their is a knock at the door and it isn’t him ? You can’t . All I knew is that my own pain no longer mattered and that my daughter was suffering too . I promised myself I’d do anything I could to make her feel okay . Although I can’t bring back her dad I can show her videos and pictures of the love he had for her and keep his memory alive . I went back to work at a Lead Cashier but also started Medical Assistant school as my first step to become an RN. I love check to check and barely makes end meet. The way I see it as long as my daughter , Delilah has diapers and food and clean clothes , that’s all that matters. I am blessed to have my mom who watches my daughter while I do homework and work . I am currently taking prerequisite classes too apply for an LVN program. Once I finish that I’ll continue to go to community college to branch out to RN . My dream is to be an RN in OB. I have my own fertility issues and I would love to be apart of helping women deliver their babies and care for them as if they were my own . Winning this scholarship would help me a lot with making sure I can keep up with my bills and growing daughter . It would motivate to work even harder and stay up even later doing homework . It’s hard being a single mom to an almost three year old but I am pulling through . She is the reason I am still standing and why I realized that I need to do more than be a cashier or a medical assistant . I want to be the good example she deserves . Her dad passing away from medical issues and seeing the treatment he got in the hospital made me see how I personally love helping people and could have a fulfilling jog doing so . My favorite memory I have with my daughter was this one time I caught her saying “ hi daddy” and having a conversation and playing with her dad after he passed . It was beautiful to witness and I felt his spirit in the room . When it was time for him to leave my daughter turned to me and said “mommy daddy go bye” and he gave me a big kiss and hug that I knew were sent to me from him . I have not thought about giving up school just wished it wasn’t so hard sometimes . My long term goal is to get my masters in Nursing. I am taking it one step at a time since I still want to be apart of my daughters life and watch her grow. I still have to work and support my child so taking it slow is my best option . Even with all the Suffering and obstacles thrown my way, I am proud to say I am still standing and thriving .