Meet Edvonna

Edvonna had the shock of her life at age 40 when she went to the doctor thinking she was having medical issues. When the doctor told her she was pregnant, Edvonna responded, "No, I don't think so. I'm 40. I'm having medical issues." The doctor said, "We beg to differ. You're having a baby!" 

After the reality of the situation set in, she was overjoyed and a bit nervous due to her age. However, her pregnancy went well and her baby boy was born healthy and wonderful. "Of course, my child is perfect," Edvonna says with a laugh.

Not long after the birth of her son, Edvonna experienced another life altering circumstance, her divorce. Edvonna wondered what she was going to do. "It wasn't the ideal plan. It wasn't the white picket fence I wanted," she says. "I kept thinking, 'This is not happening.'" 

She has difficulty getting over her expectations of the 'ideal" family, and knowing how to explain to her son why their family looks different than some others. "You have this ideal in mind of how the mom and dad should always be there. But, you just pick up the pieces and keep going."

She says one of her biggest challenges is to find time for herself. "Just to take a shower is a challenge." She says she struggles to slow down when there are always many things to catch up with like laundry and dishes. She says, "If I'm not careful, I'll drain myself just trying to make some alone time." She tries to remember that if she doesn't take time to refuel, she won't be able the kind of person and mom she wants to be.

Her greatest joys come in the simple things. The "I love you" hugs her son gives her after he gets come from school. The notes he leaves her. The compliments she gets from others about how well mannered her son is. She says it's just enough to remind her, "No, don't beat yourself up. You're doing okay."

Edvonna is a regular attendee of the Single Moms Christmas Dinner. She says, "I feel embraced, like a big hug. We get pampered, and there is always such an uplifting spirit about the evening. You step through those doors and it feels like a thousand pounds are taken from your shoulders. You know the people around you are going through the same thing you are."

She has a few tips she's give other single parents. She says, "Always take time to care for yourself. We love our kids so much, but we also have our spirit, mind, body, and soul that needs to be healthy. We have to stay positive. We have to do that for ourselves, otherwise it leaks down to our kids."  

Edvonna encourages single parents to never be afraid to ask for help. She thinks single parents often struggle with asking for help. "I was like that at first, but now I've learned that it is often a blessing not only for me but for the others who are helping."

Thank you Edvonna for sharing your story with us! You are an encouragement! 

Published December 2017


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