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