Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
This is a verse I turn to often . I love bald eagles and for a long time now God will bring one into my sight just at the right time. I know everything will be ok and He’s got this. This verse is very comforting to me.
What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?
I love Christmas time it’s become one of my favorite holidays. I love the traditions and spending time with friends and family. I love the story of Jesus and his birth and what Christmas is all about.
I love all the lights and maybe it’s because I never had Christmas’ growing up that I cherish the times I have now.
What are your favorite emojis?
🙏❤️😊🔥 These are the ones I use the most and then I use ones for birthdays or 🌻🌹🐴🐇
I love using emojis they just been up everything you write.
Describe a risk you took that you do not regret.
When I lived in Ireland with my dad and stepmom. After I had gotten back from Canada visiting my mom for the summer. I was 15 years old my dad told me that I could move out and get a job or move with my mom. There is no way I would ever have survived getting a job at 15 with little education and scared of my own shadow.
I took the risk and called up my mom and asked her if I could live with her. She was overjoyed but I felt my dad didn’t want me anymore and that’s how he was going to get rid of me.
Moving from Ireland the only home I knew to come and live with my mom and stepdad was a massive difference in my life. It was like moving from one completely different world to another one. The way I was brought up to how I lived at my mom’s was a massive culture shock. Even though I didn’t want to leave my family I couldn’t wait to get out of the abusive relationships I had.
It was the best decision I ever made. I had a family who loved me and supported me in the highs and lows and after a long time I worked on and through my trauma. I also had a step dad that loved me so much and was very protective of me something I never had growing up. He helped me be the woman I am today. I lost him mid December. I miss him everyday and the relationship that we developed over the years. ❤️
How do you use social media?
I use social media mostly to promote my business. It’s the biggest reason I’m on it and to interact with people that live far away from me. Without social media I would have a harder time being about to tell people about this amazing product. I do online events and meet amazing people along the way.
What makes you laugh?
When my dad passed away I started watching comedies. I’m almost at the end of Friend’s. I love that show so much it’s halarious and the lines are so great. It’s good to belly laugh with the things that they do. It’s also really nice to laugh after all the tears I’ve shed.
I also laugh lots at some of the things that the children say at school. Oh my goodness I’ve heard some of the funniest things.
Laughter is so good and I have an amazing sense of humor and I often get the children to laugh because some of them are so serious. Laughter is good for your soul. I hope that you can let loose and laugh as much as you can.
What’s something most people don’t understand?
People who have not gone through or experienced trauma have no idea how it effects your entire life. It effects everything your mental health, your sleep, your anxiety levels, your health and even your teeth.
I didn’t have proper nutrition as a child and so my teeth are terrible. My immune system gets attacked and when things become really overwhelmed my body shuts down by getting sick.
Trauma even though you’ve been out of it for years still effects your entire body and sometimes it’s hard. It’s got nothing to do with proper nutrition yes that helps but there are so many other factors. Recently I read a book called your body keeps score. It’s a great explanation about busy what I’m talking about. So before you jump to a conclusion maybe find out if the person has trauma in their life. 😊
What’s a secret skill or ability you have or wish you had?
Even though I had a horrific past what I learned out of it I would never change. The skills that I learned are skills that I use in school everyday. I notice things that most people would miss. I notice children that are hungry, lonely, in fight or flight. Those that just need someone to tell them how proud of them I am. A hug, a smile, a friend when they feel like they have no other.
The secret is trust. How hard it is to trust adults that constantly let you down. That’s the window into every one of these children. I have built that trust and those children still come to me with smiles and hugs. Even the hardest children. One of them tells everyone that I’m his best friend. I love those hugs. I love that insight that I can bring to all those children. ❤️
What is your favorite type of weather?
I live where it rains lots and I don’t rain but it gets so dreary here and socked in. I prefer the summer but don’t like it really hot. I love being able to wear short sleeves and lighter clothing. I love the long days and seems you have so much more time on your hands.
Summer is endless and I love that and I especially love that my joints don’t hurt so much. 😊
Who was your most influential teacher? Why?
This question makes me smile as I think about Mrs. Baker the woman that noticed me and gave me a kind word, a smile or money to buy some lunch. Mrs Baker was our school Librarian. She has CP and kids often made fun of her. I loved this woman so much and would spend hours in the library. I don’t know if she knew about my home life but she sent me home on all the holidays with lots of books.
I won the award in the school for reading the most books. I could escape my horrible life reading all the adventures and dreaming that one day I could leave the home that I lived in. When I was an adult I looked her up and I thanked her for saving me from the hell of childhood.
She told me that she knew something was wrong but had no idea what it was. I told her how all that reading helped me become the woman I am today. A year later she died.
That is why I reach out to those who need extra love and care at school because all these years later I never forgot that. I’m blessed to having had her in my life. She was an amazing woman. ❤️
Beauty from Ashes. 