MORE Magazine December 2016 | Page 32

I told my mother that I was pregnant and she was lashed out I was 23 years old. I called my mom and she lost it on me. It was the most crushing moment ever. She said, “I'm not going to be taking care of kids, I'm sick of taking care of kids. If you think I'm going to be a grandma just raising babies…” I cried that whole day. I knew I could never ask her for help. She put me in the same category as my younger sister, And I knew that I had to take care of me. To prove to her that I could do this on my own because she was helping my sister to raise her children. So she was putting me in the same category as her, but here I was I had my own place I have a job my degree but even then I still wasn't good enough. She was frustrated with my sister, but she reacted with me. I had to do it on my own in order to prove to my mother that I could raise my children without her help. Now, she didn't realize that she had reacted and said those things. But that day is etched in my mind Ayoka: I'm sure you can recall every moment of that day. Tresser: That day is etched in my mind I remember everything about that dar Ayoka: Do you think that you can ever let that day go, Tresser: Probably not, I can still get emotional about it now. My kids tell me that even when i reach goals , I’m never happy, because I have already set another goal. Ayoka: It sounds as though you have put a huge amount of pressure on yourself, since you were a child Tresser: I have. It’s a lot of weight.