Jodi has three children, ages 10, 12, and 22. The oldest is in law school in Chicago. She became a single parent when her oldest daughter was born. She says, “I was scared and alone but determined. For almost nine years it was just my daughter and me. We struggled with the stressors most single parents encounter. Financial and emotional. It’s hard to never have a break and to be the sole responsibility for children.” 

When her daughter was nine, Jodi married her husband, and they welcomed two more children into the family. She says, “After so many years as a single parent and sole bread winner, this was truly like a dream come true. I felt cared for, protected, supported and loved. All the years doing it all alone were now behind me, and I was enjoying the comfort of a parenting partnership.”

Jodi’s world was shaken to the core when her husband became ill and was diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disease. He passed away in March of 2016. “Being his wife was such an honor. I never imagined I’d be in a situation where I’d be a single parent again.”

She says, “I know I’m capable of this journey, because I’ve done it before, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Single parenting is never easy, after all.” She adds, “It is often overwhelming to carry the parenting load solo. Taking care of ourselves, filling ourselves back up so we can pour into the kids we love is a huge challenge. Without family nearby, it’s an even greater obstacle.

There’s no one to share the burden of worry, no one to help carry the weight of big decisions, and no one to help out with mundane things like home maintenance, car maintenance, computer problems, etc. It can be financially difficult, emotionally draining and physically exhausting.”

Jodi’s greatest joy is being a mom. “I adore my kids, even when I want to sell them. (just kidding). They bring happiness to my life. And I learn so much from them every day. Grownups can often be cynical and pessimistic. We spend so much time just trying to survive that we miss out on small, but beautiful moments. Kids don’t miss these every day miracles. They see possibility, wonder and humor in moments we would otherwise miss.”

One piece of advice Jodi would give to other single parents is, “You are not alone! Whatever has you feeling isolated, worried or broken – you are not alone. There is an entire army of strong, kind and determined single parents around you who understand. And most importantly, God understands. He is for us!”

When she thinks of Single Parent Provision, she thinks of, “Compassion. Friendship. Understanding. Reprieve. Encouragement. Ministry. These are the words that come to mind when I think of Single Parent Provision. An organization that gets it.”

Today, Jodi is a writer, speaker and blogger. She says, “I’m trying to use my family’s life experience with grief and single parenting to help others feel less alone. Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s not rewarding. All of these struggles have led me to a deeper faith, a stronger will and have shaped a more honest, hopeful and encouraging attitude.”

Thank you, Jodi, for sharing your story with us and embracing the truth that we are not alone!

Published April 2018