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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