How I Sprang into THRIVE, Fell and THRIVED Back …
by Frances Sanchez
Becoming a single mother came early for me after losing my children’ s father to the system forever while I had three boys that were still small. At the time, I myself was still trying to find my way in life and just giving birth to a baby girl, and find out that major incident occurred that would alter my life forever. Murder was the case that they gave him and life was the time that they paid him. Now stuck with four kids, a home not big enough for us all and no clue of where to go from there, my motherly instinct kicked in and I began to do whatever I needed to do to THRIVE as a single mother. I moved almost immediately by borrowing money for the deposits equally divided between my mother and the mother of my daughter’ s father. Yes, at the time I was seeing another man, however my boy’ s father was still the sole provider for us so his sudden departure created somewhat of a downfall. Nonetheless, I was able to move and at which time I also decided to go to school to get my Associates Degree as a Medical Assistant and Phlebotomy to start my journey on a career path.
Going to school in the mornings, working full time evenings and coming home to mother behind four children, that would already be asleep most nights( aside from the baby girl and my youngest boy). Cleaning up the day’ s mess, my boys were ages 8, 6 and 18 months. I had homework to check and toys to put away not to mention clothes to get out for the next day. Speaking of which, being a single mother we often neglect ourselves for the sake of our children. Meaning I began to dress my kids more and myself less. I was starting to wear uniforms as my everyday wardrobe and a scarf on my head wrapped somewhat neatly to feel put together yet know in my mind that I need to get my“ Me” back. Graduation came quick and I start working immediately for Great Valley Family Medicine after being hired directly from my intern. A regular day shift hours, childcare assistance, contentment at my workplace and fulfillment in my current circumstances it was time for me to thrive again, and THRIVE I did!
I was working, rising, aiming and thriving, I let my hair down for the first time in a long time( Literally) uniforms were now only my work clothes and fashion was welcomed into my life. I started getting dressed for less by any means necessary, rather it was through a bargain or a borrow and sometimes I even boosted. I won’ t say that the boosting is something I am particularly proud of however it was a survival technique I learned a long time ago while in the mist of struggle at a young age. Life was going great I even moved into an even bigger home so that all four kids can have their own rooms. My daughters father was still in the picture; however, I was the sole provider for the home and children. It was fine with me at the time because I transferred to Paoli Hospital for a higher paying position that required me to not only work 12 hour shifts but to work them over nights. This afforded me the privilege to be home with my children when they both went to sleep at night and awaken in
THRIVE MAGAZINE 17