My Life: The Struggles, Sacrifices & Triumphs of a Mother
By Sarah Truitt
As I sit here at my desk with pen and paper in hand reminiscing over my life, I ask myself, “Where should I begin?” The answer that comes to mind is, “The Beginning, where it all started!” The beginning of life, in my opinion, is before we were conceived in our mother’s womb which is beyond our reach. Are we able to grasp such a time or even remember?
Each of us has a real story to share in hopes that each story shared will inspire others. My story is not so uncommon that it cannot touch someone who reads it and understands that life happens to us all — whether bad or good. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth, so to speak, but I am grateful that I was born!
My name is Sarah, and I share with you a small part of my life with those who will read it and perhaps become inspired, encouraged, strengthened or motivated to never give up regardless of the trials or circumstances they encounter. I’m reminded of the old adage: ‘A winner never quits, and a quitter never wins!’ I can honestly say that I have never quit on anything and never will. I’ve always strived for the best — for myself, for my children, for my grandchildren, and for my family. As long as God above gives me the strength and the wherewithal to keep living, I will never give up!
I was born in a small country town called West Point, Georgia. West Point is so small the population could be counted on one finger. I come from a family of ten children. I was three years old, third from the youngest, at the time of my father’s unexpected death. Seeing my mother working in white people’s homes cooking, cleaning, and taking care of their children, then coming home to take care of us, was both a good and bad environment to grow up in. She would have the oldest to carry the youngest on their backs from my grandmother’s house or whoever was sitting for us. She would never let us stay overnight at anyone’s house regardless of the time she got off work. She felt that if she could take care of other people’s children, by all means she was going to take care of her own. From a stock like that, how could I not be a survivor with two children when she did it raising ten of us as a widow with a six grade education? My mom spent so much time trying to make ends meet that there was hardly any time to teach me or my siblings how to love or how to let someone love us. Nevertheless, we knew she loved us and wanted us to be whatever we desired to be. She was very strict with us, especially when it came to going to school. Rain, sleet, snow or shine, we had to get up and go to school. She would always instill in us the importance of education.
There are many things I wish I could have experienced. One thing in particular was the opportunity to model in a runway show in New York. But at that time I felt there wasn’t anyone who I could have trusted with my precious gifts – Allen, my son, 2 ½ at the time, and Kala, my daughter, 1½ years old. Not having the family support that I longed for at the time, I felt isolated from the world and that they only had me to depend on me. Be that as it may, I did get a chance to do some local modeling, and if I had kept that momentum, it probably would have gone a lot further. So in some ways, I tapped in on that dream of modeling.
I divorced my children’s father in 1989 after 2 years, 11 months and 2 days of marriage; and started a life of ‘singlehood’ with only a technical school education. But I never gave up because I knew within my heart of hearts I would accomplish more than I could imagine. My small savings account was depleting rapidly for daycare, pampers, and food expenses. There was no time to complain and really, who would have cared? By this time, I had to resort to public assistance and had formed a thick wall around myself. I was determined to not let anyone near my heart. The times were hard, but through it all, I had and still have God. Thinking back I realize there is no way I could have gotten through these trying situations without the Lord on my side. With some help from public assistance, I was able to attend Clayton State College. It was very difficult and I had to drop out several semesters; but I was bound and determined to complete my courses – even if it took me taking my kids to school with me – and that is what I did. It took me five to six years, but I was able to complete my classes and receive my Associate of Science Degree and a Certificate in Medical Assisting. I have no regrets of what I had to do. With these degrees, I landed a job in the medical field at Grady Memorial Hospital. It did not pay much, but it was a solid job.
In 1997, shortly after earning my Associates Degree, I closed on my first home earning only $8.46 an hour with a bankruptcy on my credit. God is so good!!! At the end of that year I met my second husband and we wed in January of 1999. My advice to my sistas out there is to do your research before you say “I Do”. Trusting someone near my children and letting this hard shell I had built up down was a huge hurdle for me. After eight years of marriage, I divorced my second husband. I felt as if I was back where I started. But this time, I was much stronger, the children were older, I had some college education, and that shell wasn’t as hard.
In 2000, after being told I wasn’t qualified for a job that I applied for within my department from a colleague who had the same degree as I had, gave me the incentive to further my education. I wanted more for myself and I refused to give up. I later appreciated that rejection; because of it I returned to Clayton State College and earned my Bachelor of Art and Science Degree in 2002. I was later hired at the prestigious Emory University in 2004 as an Administrative Assistant in the Neonatology Department. Being an assistant to a well-known doctor who cares for the children who are severely premature is one of my better decisions. In this field, I have seen and experienced more than I could have imagined and I thank God yet again. I will soon be celebrating my 7th year anniversary this year.
Now while sitting here with my first granddaughter, Alani, as I prepare for Graduate School, I reflect back on a few of the many words of wisdom that my mom (whom passed in October 2010), shared with me over the years. One thing I remember she used to tell me was to always be true to myself; which I have tried to do to the best of my ability. She was a strong-willed woman, and I have inherited that trait to the fullest. Regardless of what anyone said, I pursued my goals, and even through the struggles, I triumphed.
Love and God’s Blessing be with you all!!
