What Hardships in Life, have made you stronger??

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Permalink Reply by Pamela M. Kramer on November 3, 2008 at 6:28am

Having a baby at 17 did the trick for me! That one event effected every single decision I made.

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Permalink Reply by Carolyn on November 3, 2008 at 6:35am

I was exactly the same age as you were when I had my first child.
From that Moment my life has never been the same!

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Permalink Reply by Lisa C. Decker on November 3, 2008 at 7:25am

Being diagnosed with breast cancer and MS within 24 hours was my greatest life challenge.....though there have been other incredibly difficult experiences as well. Yeah, life is full of curve balls and challenges....it's definitely what makes us who we are. I always say to look at the gifts within that come from these experiences. My life is so much fuller now than it ever was before those diagnosis'. I designed, developed, implemented and taught a breast cancer program for over 20,000 people after my recovery. That was a gift to me as I gave to others. Always, always, look for the gifts.....

I bet you are an incredible mom because of those inexcusable experiences. There's the gift for you and your child.

Thanks for asking the question...

Lisa C. Decker
www.DivorceMoneyMatters.com

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Permalink Reply by Cara on November 3, 2008 at 7:46am

The biggest event that happened to me was my divorce to my first husband. We were high school sweethearts that barely had anything in common. After HS, he left for the Air Force and I saw him 4 times in two years. So we eventually decided to get married at 19. I moved to AZ from TX, and the entire relationship lasted barely over a year. He turned incredibly abusive (every way imaginable, EXCEPT physically) and neglectant. I was incredibly suicidal and perfected my "sweet little actress" act to the point where even the military doctors couldn't tell how bad off I was. When he pushed the boundaries of getting physical, I decided I had to leave or I'd end up in a not-so-good spot. We were separated for 6 months before finalizing the divorce.

Since then I had to learn to grow up on my own, because I had had someone always there to do things for me. When I met my current husband, he had grown up with many hardships, and really taught me about reality... REALLY fast! I am so far beyond happy that he is in my life, and he tries so hard to make ends meet for our family.

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Permalink Reply by Carolyn on November 3, 2008 at 10:21am

Aww, Cara.
I am so sorry.
But thankfully you were given a wonderful gift by God! Your Wonderful Husband. So glad he came into your life!
Much Love to you.

Cara said:

The biggest event that happened to me was my divorce to my first husband. We were high school sweethearts that barely had anything in common. After HS, he left for the Air Force and I saw him 4 times in two years. So we eventually decided to get married at 19. I moved to AZ from TX, and the entire relationship lasted barely over a year. He turned incredibly abusive (every way imaginable, EXCEPT physically) and neglectant. I was incredibly suicidal and perfected my "sweet little actress" act to the point where even the military doctors couldn't tell how bad off I was. When he pushed the boundaries of getting physical, I decided I had to leave or I'd end up in a not-so-good spot. We were separated for 6 months before finalizing the divorce.

Since then I had to learn to grow up on my own, because I had had someone always there to do things for me. When I met my current husband, he had grown up with many hardships, and really taught me about reality... REALLY fast! I am so far beyond happy that he is in my life, and he tries so hard to make ends meet for our family.

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Permalink Reply by Carolyn on November 3, 2008 at 10:22am

I could not even imagine the things that have must have entered you mind.
You truely are a strong and inspirational women. Tahnks for replying and for the kind words you spoke!
Blessings to you my friend!

Lisa C. Decker said:

Being diagnosed with breast cancer and MS within 24 hours was my greatest life challenge.....though there have been other incredibly difficult experiences as well. Yeah, life is full of curve balls and challenges....it's definitely what makes us who we are. I always say to look at the gifts within that come from these experiences. My life is so much fuller now than it ever was before those diagnosis'. I designed, developed, implemented and taught a breast cancer program for over 20,000 people after my recovery. That was a gift to me as I gave to others. Always, always, look for the gifts.....

I bet you are an incredible mom because of those inexcusable experiences. There's the gift for you and your child.

Thanks for asking the question...

Lisa C. Decker
www.DivorceMoneyMatters.com

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Permalink Reply by Just because on November 3, 2008 at 5:19pm

I had my first baby at 17. At 21 I gave a baby up for adoption. I am 25 divorced (a marriage I was forced into) and I am remarried with 3 children. I have made so many mistakes. I have learned the hard way most definitely, but I am a much better person for it. I had a few Britney moments when I was younger. It most def changed my life. Sometimes I wonder how I ever made those choices in life. Doesn't seem real almost. But it all worked out.

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Permalink Reply by Carolyn on November 4, 2008 at 6:44am

WOW...
Thankyou for your honesty.
I am so glad you have found the Beauty in all of the mess you went through. I can relate to so much of your story.

Mel said:

My life wasn't all bad but there are many things in my past that I've had to rise above. It's all made me a very strong person I think. For me I have issues with abandonment and dishonesty from my mother. That in itself is a very long story but basically she gave me away to my grandparents to raise for many years, then I went to live with her and her abusive new husband when I was older, and long story short we have been estranged now for over a decade. I do not have a father or even know who he is (the name on my birth certificate is a lie) so I have always felt a little bit like an orphan. I was also sexually abused and molested many times by different people. I've lost someone very close to me which continues to affect me in ways I never imagined....I could go on really. I just don't dwell on the bad stuff on a regular basis. I try to remember that I have a good life NOW. I have been very happily married for 12 years, have a daughter I adore, a nice home, a comfortable life...I really couldn't ask for more.

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Permalink Reply by Carolyn on November 4, 2008 at 6:45am

You women amaze me.
So glad to know that although we may endure pain and heartache and still become loving nuturing women! Can't wait to talk to you all more!!

Just because said:

I had my first baby at 17. At 21 I gave a baby up for adoption. I am 25 divorced (a marriage I was forced into) and I am remarried with 3 children. I have made so many mistakes. I have learned the hard way most definitely, but I am a much better person for it. I had a few Britney moments when I was younger. It most def changed my life. Sometimes I wonder how I ever made those choices in life. Doesn't seem real almost. But it all worked out.

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Permalink Reply by BDC_Sharon on November 4, 2008 at 6:33pm

I'm a more confident woman and parent because my husband has been deployed so often over the course of our marriage. I had to learn to make a decision on my own where normally I would have deferred to him, and its made me strong and capable. All told, he's been gone about 8 of the nearly 16 years we've been married.

Fondly,
Sharon

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Permalink Reply by Carolyn on November 5, 2008 at 6:19am

WOW, Youa re a stronger Women then I...
I really don't know if I could handle that!

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Permalink Reply by Noelle on November 5, 2008 at 6:33am

Carolyn,
Like you I have experienced some of the same things. In addition, I experienced adultery, divorce, loss of a mom to suicide (8th anniversary of her death today), and breast cancer in which if it ihad not been caught when it was would have been terminal. Cancer was such a gift to me because now I never take any day for granted, don't complain about my hair (when you don't have any you long to have ANY kind of hair) and you celebrate the "good days" which as a cancer fighter you never can take for granted when you are going through treatment. I have great stories about thing I experineced during that time. That experience also led me to my husband. So I would not wish those experiences on any one; however, I am not sure I would not want to have them either as they have influenced who I am in a lot of positive ways.

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