King's Daughter's Kitchen

My dad was a decorated army marksman. We moved just before my senior year to Oklahoma. Yep. That happened. Then, my whole family left for Germany, and I chose to stay behind to go to Teacher’s  college.

I spent the summer before freshman dorms with my pastor, his wife, and their three young children. When the family dropped me at the dorms, I had $500 cash for the semester,  my clothes, my books, and no driver’s license. My classes and meals were paid by scholarship. Extras weren’t. The only way to reach my parents was to write. Like it or not, I was alone.

I didn’t feel like an adult. I was a dedicated student. I went to church, to class, and to the library.

At the end of the school year, I went to live with my aunt to work. I was nineteen, booksmart but foolish. I met my future husband and fell in “love.” God gave me an incredible gift that changed the course of my life.

I decided to keep my son, my gift from God, the moment I found out he existed, despite others’ opinions. I carried him without knowing who he would be or how my life would turn out. I decided to care, to give my life for, someone else, no matter what. I changed my ways and thoughts in order to give both of us the best chance at success and love in the world. I learned to fight for the best instead of accepting ho-hum. I took a stand for something right and became an adult and a mother. Every child is a gift from God. We should treasure them.