Submitted by L. Williams
ROSEMARY Reliable/One-of-a-Kind/Safety/Endearing/Motherly/Amazing/Remarkable/Youthful Earthly angels exist, and I encountered one of my angels, Ms. Rosemary, in the fall of 1993! When I first met her, I never knew the role that she would play in my and my son’s life. I met my angel when I was 19 through a best friend who worked in my department, attended the same junior college, and happened to be Ms. Rosemary’s daughter Jackie. We worked together, hung out, and had a class together; over time, I met Ms. Rosemary while hanging out with Jackie at her house.
I focused on school, work, and my son (whom I had too young), but I was determined not to let that define me. If anything, being a single, young mother gave me more determination to beat the odds stacked against me. I had a plan and was working on it for my education and career! I found an affordable place, but it wouldn’t be available until a few months later, when the previous tenant was scheduled to move, so I stayed with my mother and stepfather. For the majority of my life, they had an unhealthy relationship and, in later years of their marriage, it even became abusive. Over time, it weighed on my nerves and, as a child, I was often sick in the stomach and nerves. Things were no better by the time I had my son.
One night I could not take the yelling and abuse that I heard my mom experiencing, and I was going to defend (in my head) her. I almost made a life-changing decision against her husband, but I decided to take my son and leave for good, although my apartment was months away from being ready. That day when I left, at age 19, I never looked back because I wanted PEACE for my son and myself. (On a side note, I thank God that, eventually, my mother got her peace and divorced years later. Also, her ex-husband is in a much better place within himself and also with God. He apologized for the past, and I forgave him.) However, back then, I needed to get away and stay away before I completely snapped.
We ALL have a breaking point whether we realize it or not! When I left without a place to go, I reached out to a local relative who turned me away, saying she did not want to get involved. Therefore, I was temporarily homeless by safe choice because I knew it was not a healthy decision for me to go back.
I ended up swallowing my pride and asked my friend Jackie if she would ask her mom if I could rent a room for three months. Sweet Jackie agreed, and the rest is history! Ms. Rosemary said, “YES,” to my two-year-old baby and me staying with her. She refused to take any rent money! She even set up the room with two twin beds and decorated it so welcoming for my son and me. I cried so hard of JOY and RELIEF and never knew that kind of selfless LOVE existed from someone who was not even a relative!! It was so warm, inviting, and loving--as I stepped into a piece of heaven. (As I type this, I am in tears remembering as if it was yesterday.)
Ms. Rosemary was a senior registered nurse with a busy life and told me it was just an extra room in her house and that she was HAPPY to have us there as long as we wanted to stay. She even told me that she wanted me to stay there rent-free until I finished college!!! I was flattered, but I still chose to only stay for three months when my apartment would be ready. However, her LOVE and ANGELIC ways shined because not many people would take in a single mom and a two-year-old baby for FREE.
Meanwhile, my family said I should come home, but there was no looking back for me, and that STEP OUT on FAITH is WHY I am the Warrior Woman that I am today who does not accept abuse from anyone. Because of Ms. Rosemary, I am now a woman who gives extra because of the selfless love, grace, shelter, compassion, and gifts that she showered my son and me with. Even when I moved out, Ms. Rosemary gave me dishes, linen, towels and so much to help me get started in my cozy little apartment.
God definitely lives in Ms. Rosemary, and there is so much more that I can say about her, but you have an idea of who she is by now. I pay her love forward today in programs for homeless single mothers who have experienced setbacks, and I know that those mothers will do the same for others one day.
Words and tears will never be able to convey how much I love Ms. Rosemary for loving my son and me. She is indeed My Phoebe!!
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