If you didn’t know me well, you may describe me as being polite, well mannered, or even quiet. However, I’m here to tell you who I really am. I am a single mother with a smart ass sense of humor and a colorful vocabulary, a fiercely dedicated and hardworking individual. At times I talk too loud or even too much, but it’s not my fault that I always have something to say. I’m loyal to those I love and am as independent as they come. Tell me I can’t do something, and I’ll show you that I can! I’ve mastered the art of sarcasm and can wield it like a weapon, so be prepared to laugh (or cry, your choice). Having been a survivor of some of life’s toughest challenges, I like to try and find the positive in every situation or circumstance I find myself in.

Throughout my life, I have found myself questioning why me, why this, why now but I’ve learned that “why” isn’t the most important question to ask. It’s the who, who can I turn to for help, who will be my people through this, and after all is said and done who do I want to be because of this. It’s the how, how do I want this to shape me, how will this affect how I handle things moving forward. It’s the what, what role did I play in this, what can I learn from this.

The most frustratingly beautiful part of life is that we don’t always have all the answers, no one does. You have to live in order to learn, you must figure them out along the way. Sometimes we get them wrong and sometimes we get them right, but if you’re really lucky, sometimes you find the most amazing group of friends, your chosen family, and then it doesn’t matter if you don’t have all the right answers because they will help you find them and help you navigate life.