In 2009 I had been working for a staffing agency. I had been with the company since 2004. As a single mom I was doing very well financially raising my then 2 and 4 year old. I had just received a 5K raise and within a few months the company sold. The economy was spiraling in a downward motion, clients were backing off from using temporary employees due to cost and things were not looking good. In my office it was just myself and one other lady who had been with the company several years less than I.
I will never forget that year. I turned 39 May 14th and May 18th I was laid off. I will never forget the immediate sense of fear that came over me. My mind turned immediately to my kids. How would I take care of them? There were no jobs to be had. Being in the business I was in, I was well aware of the job market. I was scared. They chose to keep the other girl who is a dear friend of mine. The only thing I could think was that I had kids, she didn't. My priority was them, hers was her job. She was more valuable to them. As angry as I was about it, I understood the business side of things.
This was not the first time I was laid off. In October of 2001 I was hired on as the customer service rep for a start up company that made memorial markers. I had my own office, I got along well with everyone, the job was perfect. December 31st the following year they closed their doors. 40+ people immediately joined the ranks of the unemployed.
So, when I lost my job this time, I decided that I was not going to go through this again. I was going to, for the first time, go to college. I would pick a career that offered much opportunity and I would do it. My goal was to go to
Northern Oklahoma College and then transfer to
Oklahoma State University and earn my bachelors. Having never been to college, I would have to take remedial classes in a couple areas so I could get back into the mainstream of students. I was determined for myself and my family that I would make something of myself. I enrolled in July of 2009.
Three years later, I have taken all the courses I need at NOC and submitted my application to OSU. I was nervous, but I knew I had good grades. I knew that a 2.5 GPA was required to transfer in and I was sitting golden with a 3.28. I checked status everyday until yesterday when I saw the following screen:
ADMITTED! Me, I was admitted to OSU! At 41 years old and managing to raise two kids, ages 4 & 6, literally solo, I DID IT! My eyes filled with tears and my heart swelled with pride. You can't imagine the sense of accomplishment I am feeling right now. I just keep telling myself "YOU DID IT!!!!!"..Goal accomplished. 3 years later, but I did it! So while 2009 was a scary, dark time in my life, 2012 is proving to be the light at the end of the tunnel. Just like with weight loss, if you keep at it, and you do your very best, your goals will be accomplished. Never let anyone tell you that you can't....because my friend, YOU CAN!
GO POKES!!!!!
