Fifty three years ago I started the day as a child and ended it as a mom. This was the first photo of me and my daughter. We both still had our hospital bracelet on.
The hospital where she delivered never even gave me a room. I was left in a hallway and discharged about eight hours after I arrived. As an unwed mother I didn't warrant a red carpet welcome. I paid them $250 and went home to the room I rented in an old Victorian house. Obviously there were holes in the wallpaper but we were warm and safe and we were living within our means. I was fourteen years old and ninety eight pounds.
I'm sharing my story because it shows all good things are possible.
My daughter turned into the best kind of human.
It wasn't easy but I have zero regrets.
True grit was never personified by John Wayne types but by regular people surviving against the odds.
Disappointing the doubters was sweet consolation.
She gave me the gift of grandkids too.
I've had a good life.
So far.
@NorcalGma2 You were a lovely young woman with a lot of responsibility. I hope you got help from someone - your family or community. You managed a lot and did so well.
@NorcalGma2 Happy Birthday!
Your facial expression says it all 😉.
@NorcalGma2 Thank you for posting this. It strengthens my desire to help make a better world for everyone.
@NorcalGma2 I’m proud of you. And what an adorable photo.
@NorcalGma2 You are amazing!
@NorcalGma2 Happy Birthday to you both 😊💐
Happy Birthday to your daughter and Happy Anniversary of you being a Mom!
That must have been really scary, but wow, you knocked it out of the park. ❤️❤️❤️
@NorcalGma2 You must have done a great job as a mom.
@NorcalGma2 This story stuns me. You did not experience kindness from others when you needed it most, on a day when you brought life into this world.
A very happy birthday to your daughter!
It is extraordinary how you have channeled your own fortitude into building a life without losing yourself or your nature. You refused to lose your generosity of spirit. You've shown more heart than would even seem possible. A fierce kind of love. No one can take that away from you. ❤️❤️❤️
@NorcalGma2 Thank you for sharing this, and happy birthday to your daughter, and to you!
@NorcalGma2 Congratulations on beating the odds and making a good life for you and yours!
Wow, thank you for sharing!! 🫶
@NorcalGma2
$250 seems like a lot of money for a teenager to have in the 70's.
I'm both shocked that they bothered to charge you, and impressed you were able pay.
@duckwhistle
I had $500 saved. The doctor that provided my prenatal care also charged me $250 so I was able to pay for both. At the time I was working from home as a seamstress so I had income.
@NorcalGma2 Thank you for sharing your lovely story. But where did those 53 years go!
@NorcalGma2 The Epstein elite might read this differently than normal people.
@NorcalGma2 Congratulations, pass on the spirit! There is dignity everywhere
@NorcalGma2 wishing you and your daughter and her children lots more of the good life you share with us on here.
@NorcalGma2 Thank you... truly inspirational.
@NorcalGma2
You have indeed had a good life, and you have given something special to another human being, a childhood and upbringing that has been loving and kind and that has equipped her well for life in this world. You (and she) can't really ask for more 🥰
@NorcalGma2 I want to give that beautiful brave girl a big, non-creepy hug and feed her soup and tell her everything will be okay.
@NorcalGma2 Beautiful story and beautiful picture. Thanks for being here😘
@NorcalGma2 For me that all sounds like from a post apocalyptic novel or some "failed state" scenario.
It's hard for me to image that this was (and for sure still is) a real situation for people.
@NorcalGma2
Well done you! Well done both!! 😀🙏🏻
@NorcalGma2
Well done you! Well done both!! 😀🙏🏻
@NorcalGma2 Happy birthday to her and mom day to you.
You shouldn't have had to rely on your own grit but I'm glad you had it, and that you have such a good network of family and friends around you now. Hopefully you have some of their grit to call on, too!
@NorcalGma2 I love you so much right now I’m teary. So much.
@NorcalGma2 Happy Birthday and bravo to you both! I have no doubt that not only your daughter, but many people around you, learned strength and resilience from you, and were lifted up by you and your grace. After all we see your beautiful spirit lift others through here all the time. I hope you enjoyed your day! 🎉💕
@NorcalGma2
Happy birthday to your daughter, and thank you for sharing your story.
I found you right after I joined Mastodon at the end of October in 2022, and loved your posts. But I think some people were unkind to you then and your profile disappeared. Every week or two I'd search, and I've been so happy to follow your adventures ever since you came back as NorCal Gma 2. I'm so glad you're here.
@donaldham
Thank you.
I'm glad I tried again.
I missed all of the people like you.
If anything you should have received more care, not less, in that hospital as such a young mother. They failed you.
What a beautiful picture you two were and are.
@GracelessHippo
Lucky for me I was physically fit. Mostly because I couldn't drive. I went everywhere on foot or bicycle. My best friend's mother was a nurse who was the only person with me when I gave birth. I was fortunate that we were both healthy and recovered quickly.
@NorcalGma2 Wow. And oofff.
What a life. Congratulations 💚
@NorcalGma2 happy birthday to both of you, excellent day to celebrate the success story that ordinary people can accomplish. Or is it extraordinary people? I think, given what we all know of you, most of us would put you in the latter category. Kind, generous, thoughtful, humble, loving, talented (esp baking and embroidery!), and fierce, too, esp when needed for your loved ones. Keep it up and keep inspiring us!
@NorcalGma2 You are both beautiful people! Thank you, and your daughter, for being yourselves!
@NorcalGma2 Happy birthday to your daughter! And I'm thrilled beyond measure that life has turned out so well for both you and her.
@NorcalGma2 Yours is a truly uplifting story. Well done you, despite all the odds!
@NorcalGma2 gods I am so sorry you had to go through that. Congrats on your survival and strength and success in life
@NorcalGma2 way to go and congratulations 💕💕💕
@NorcalGma2 Thank you for sharing your lifelong story of love and determination. You are an inspiration and proof that all good things are possible. ❤️
