Momology Magazine Issue 2.3 Houston - Wisdom | Page 27

E ach of us has a title. In fact, we each Jennie got her college degree and has nothing short of a gift. “Life was turning have many different titles that define obtained a long and stable career in in the right direction for me,” Jennie different parts of ourselves. For example, marketing and advertising. She got married explained. Then, she was diagnosed with Jennie Windorf is a mom. She is a proud and had three children, who she considers breast cancer, and underwent a double “Michigander.” And, like many of us, she’s to be her most amazing accomplishments. mastectomy. Fortunately, Jennie is still here also a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a niece, to tell her story. a girlfriend and a friend. However, the title “Honestly, for many years, I’ve struggled Jennie most identifies with, and deservingly with being away from my kids so much “I feel like the most amazing part of my life so, is “survivor.” while working full-time. However, when I is starting at 43. I have the most wonderful look at my life now, I see that my kids are boyfriend, and the best family and friends I not only okay, but they are thriving. I think could ever ask for.” “When I call myself a “survivor,” Jennie concluded, “It covers a lot of ground.” I’ve shown them it’s possible to balance work priorities and also to be present for Perhaps the earliest and most upsetting them at home.” title that was given to Jennie was “orphan.” Jennie’s most recent venture is to start a blog. “I’m launching a lifestyle blog called “Jennie Loves” in May. This is something When she was just six years old, Jennifer Even in times of such joy, Jennie remembers I’ve wanted to do for years, and I’m found her young, single mother dead in feeling much sorrow as she struggled with finally doing it!” She plans to feature all their apartment as a victim of domestic depression. “I loved my children so much, of her “loves,” including family, health violence. but felt so much emptiness and sadness and wellness, cooking, home décor, DIY, most of the time.” bargain shopping, fashion for women over “Despite the fact that I only had six years 40, and finding love post-divorce. with her, she taught me so much about Her marriage eventually came to an end, being a mom. I felt so loved by her, and as she battled depression and he battled “There is so much possibility and goodness I’ve carried that with me my whole life.” alcoholism. For Jennie, the cliché was that lies ahead,” Jennie said. “I look back confirmed: When it rained, it poured. In the on the challenges in life in my rear view When her mother died, Jennie was alone, course of two years, she lost her marriage, mirror now. They will always be part of me, as her father had never been part of her her job, and her home to foreclosure. but they no longer define me.” life. However, Jennie never lost hope. She had “three little people” depending on her and “When I look back on that day, I realize she wasn’t about to let them down. Jennie’s new blog can be found at JennieLoves.com. ◘ that I immediately grew up. My childhood was essentially over.” “To say that I hit rock bottom was an understatement,” Jennie said. “I prayed Though different members of her family stepped in to help raise her, Jennie reflects more than ever before. I never lost faith that one day things would get better.” that she essentially raised herself. “To grow up without parents is really indescribable,” Her faith was not disappointed. In the Jennifer began. “There is a void that midst of it all, Jennie had a longing to know never gets filled, despite the love you may her father. When she was 40 years old, she receive from others. There is just nothing like finally mustered up the courage to write a parent’s love.” him a letter. “I was prepared for rejection,” Jennie said. To