I was raised by the two strongest women on the planet, my mother and grandmother. To say we didn’t have a lot growing up is an understatement. My daddy and mother divorced when I was 12, and there were 6 women in the house, my grandmother, mother and us 4 girls, Faith, Hope, Charity (me) and Joy (yes, those are our real names). We were all very bonded growing up because we were all each other had. We loved and cared for each other so much.
Strong Women aren’t simply born. They are made by the storms they walk through.
When daddy left, mother had no marketable skills and no education past high school. My grandmother worked at Avondale Mills during the early hours and came home and worked on the farm with mother and us girls until it was time for dinner and we’d all eat together.
At the time, none of us realized how little we had. Mother was the backbone for the family. She got a full-time job, went to school full-time and worked her fingers to the bone to make things better for us. She went to school during the day and worked 3 p.m. – 11 p.m. at night as a nursing assistant. Because we lived so far from the college she was attending, she sat in her car between classes and studied. Some days were bitter cold and she carried blankets with her to keep herself warm in the car while she was waiting for the next class. When she finished her classes for the day, she went to her nursing assistant job.
Because of all her hard work, she entered and completed nursing school. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, her RN degree and worked as a Charge Nurse for more than 35 years. Later in life, she obtained a Master’s degree and a Doctorate degree. Most people who know her do not know what it took from her to get to where she wound up. But we know. And God knows.
My mother and grandmother were made by all the storms they went through. They came out of each storm a stronger person. And they never lost their faith in God.
Blessings of happiness, love and light to you from Sterrett, Alabama!
Charity M. Richey-Bentley
I really understand what you was talking about. I need that wake up call.
This is so true. The storms and troubles we survive are what makes us stronger.
God is my guiding light and Jesus walks with me through them all.
Family!! Thank you for sharing.
I am glad your mother and grandmother were strong and had great perseverance. So many people now are content to wait for things to be given to them, or take it from others instead of setting goals and working to gain a future. God has blessed you.
Your story of your mother and grandmother moved me to tears. So beautiful.💖
God bless you, your sisters and your mother, and grandmother.Our Country is Great because of women like you!You are blessed to have wonderful role models.Thank you for sharing!
Your Mom sounds absolutely amazing! God bless her!
Beautiful tribute to your Mother, and Grandmother
It isn’t just women that go through that I did and starting about the same age my mother had a good job and provided for three boys and one girl and did a good job my grandmother was also a strong woman helped though she never had a job she was very encouraging and supportive of us
You are special to recognize the sacrifices that were made so you could succeed if nothing else by the examples you saw. They wanted you to have more
Your story shows the love & determination your Mother had to better herself for her family! You & your sisters were truly blessed!
I love your life story & with our lord and savior by your
Sides. What a
Miraculeuse blessings your family endored. Thank you for sharing your story. May god continue blessings you all. God is good.
What a wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing it. Much love to you and God bless you and yours.
Milli
Thank you for sharing parts of your life with us. It does help..
Thank you , Charity, for sharing this important journey of love, determination, persistence, faith, which bears strength.
This is very encouraging
Thank you for Strong Women everywhere Sista encourages Sista
and yet
STILL I RISE
I RISE
I RISE
I RISE!!!!!
God Bless and about the storms will make you stronger. I loved the story and thank you for sharing it…Happy Valentine day.
Thank you so much. God bless you. I pray you had a lovely Valentine’s Day.
Charity
So very inspiring. I certainly agree that the things we go through in life make us stronger women. God always makes a way for us . It most often isn’t the easiest but we work our way through. They say there afre some things you never quite get over but you do get through them.
Thank you so much! God bless you.
Charity
Thank you for sharing your story!!!!
What a BLESSING your mom and GRANDMOTHER are to ALL of YOU. GOD BLESS ALL…ACTUALLY HE DID…
Corinthians 15:10
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”
Amazingly gifted to accomplish so much!!!!!!! She didn’t waste any time!!!!!!! Wow!!!!!!! AMAZING COMPARED TO OTHERS THAT MESS UP!!!!!!!
Amazingly gifted to accomplish so much!!!!!!! She didn’t waste any time!!!!!!! Wow!!!!!!!
There are other women that mess up & families break up!
There are other women that mess up & families break up!
I love it. This story gives me strength and hope. Thank you for your blessings. WOW, WHAT AN EFFECT.
What an inspiring story
Very inspiring , and very soul stirring , we are not really made of half the stuff our ancestors were made of those were truly strong human beings wit grit and fortitude and failure is not an option type attitude !!! Thanks for sharing
God is good all the time. All the time God is good.
That was so beautiful and very heartwarming!!! You don’t find that now a days. Good for all of you being there for each other, and for staying so strong!!! Good luck andCongratulations to your mom for getting her degrees!!!! Love the story it gave me tears cause that is what family should do. Got more stories go for it. ❤️❤️👍👍
Thank you so much and thank you for being here.
God bless you.
Charity
What a remarkable woman. Thanyou for sharing this inspiring story. I have something to look forward to now I am just seeing my storm through!!!