She Will Succeed

The future was uncertain after the family fell apart. Where would she go? How would she support these kids? Questions flooded her brain but one thing was certain: She will succeed.

The kids are in school and making friends. Ranch style house in a small Kansas town. They seem to be adjusting well, but she hides the real struggle from them, for they deserve to be kids. She will succeed.

She was given the opportunity to start her career, yet still no idea what tomorrow brings. All she knows is this job can pay the bills. Determination. Long hours at work, nights spent at the soccer field watching her girls. Their journey begins to blossom as The Garst Girls. She will succeed.

Hard work. Compassion. Strength. Her boss sees it all. Her big break comes just when she least expects it. This opportunity can't be passed up. They start packing. Determined to find a better life in Missouri, She will succeed.

The girls have one request: A two story house. No longer that cute ranch style home, but a beautiful country-like house sits in a sub-division, just waiting for a new family. She knows its the house to raise her girls in, it has to be theirs. She will succeed.

They love it. The dinosaur wallpaper, pink flowered bathroom, little girls room. It can become theirs with a little paint. They see their future here. She smiles with happiness, she knows she will succeed.

Softball games, hot summer nights, fireworks, halloween costumes, PTA meetings, school fairs, Christmas parties, swim lessons, basketball practice, vacations, report cards and teacher conferences. She doesn't miss a beat, dedicated to her girls. She doesn't yet realize what she is teaching them yet, but they will realize one day. She will succeed.

17 years that company gave her. She raised her kids, traveled the country, sent both girls to college, made a house a home, earned her retirement, found her passion. And then it was gone. Recession hit, company closed, unemployment came. Determined, she would not return to the life she came from years ago. She fought, held back tears, struggled, reevaluated, persevered....succeeded.

The recession would not take the house she made a home, the kids she grew up, the dogs she raised, the life she built, the community she loves. Interview after interview, she wouldn't give up. Her children watched as she put on a smile, told them it would all be ok, taught them to appreciate and always look to the future. She will succeed.

Opportunity came knocking and life was back on track. She was doing what she loved, helping people manage their money. She never met a stranger, but always found new friends. Loyal to her employees, called them her friends. She would give to anyone that was in need. Life was back on track, she was doing what she does best. She will succeed.

Two years later, her world shakes again. Unexpectedly. She learns that sometimes bad things happen to good people. She was loyal to those employees, while they shit on her. Corporate world is a mean place for a woman of passion, dignity and respect. Yet, she will succeed.

She gathers her things, not knowing what the future holds. Her children seem more upset than she is willing to show. She knows what their thinking, but reassures them they have been through this before. She makes her phone calls, emails her contacts, gets a job interview the next day. She is determined. She will succeed.

She is my mother, my hero, and she will succeed.