Mocha Girl of the Week: Kay Holmes

“In these few short years I’ve lost a job I loved,  been divorced, faced foreclosure on my home, lost my car, filed bankruptcy and was diagnosed with a chronic muscle disorder.”

I am a Mocha Girl on a Mission because…

I have not let the obstacles in front of me hold me back. Despite the many setbacks in life I’ve experienced I have used them as motivation to help me reach higher goals. I’ve fallen many times but I keep getting up and when I get up I’m even stronger.

Obstacles…

The last 10 years have probably been my most difficult. In these few short years I’ve lost a job I loved, divorced, faced foreclosure on my home, lost my car, filed a bankruptcy and was diagnosed with a chronic muscle disorder. All of these things took both an emotional and physical toll on me. I was depressed, angry, irritable and just not myself. It just seemed the minute I began to recover from one thing something else would happen. I felt trapped in a life that was turned upside down. I didn’t want to share what I was going through with others because I felt embarrassed…I was the one who always had her stuff together. Once my marriage fell apart everything else began to tumble down. I was now faced with carrying the financial obligations of a two income household solely on my income. I was bitter and felt betrayed and so alone. With time, patience and a lot of hard work I began to put the pieces back together. I was starting to f eel there was a light at the end of the tunnel and then “Boom” I was hit with this disorder. I was blindsided. I was feeling good, looking good and ready to take on my new life but instead I was weak, tired, in pain and watching myself lose normal muscle functioning everyday. I could no longer where my short pixie cut because I couldn’t put my arms up to comb my hair. I couldn’t walk up a flight of steps. I had a limp and felt like I was in the body of an 80 year old woman. I would hide in the house b/c I was ashamed of all the things I could not do that a woman my age should be able to do. I was disappointed that I was letting my daughter down because activities we used to do together I could no longer do. My life was once again turned upside down and I felt out of control again. I wanted to give up. It was one thing to lose material things but losing my physical abilities was more than I could handle.

Greatest Accomplishment…

Today I am in a much happier space. My financial situation improved, I still own my home and I have a career as a school social worker that I love. I’m ready for a relationship again. I have forgiven my ex husband and I’ve learned to trust again. My physical condition is much improved and others have noticed my progress as well. My faith is stronger than ever!! I know it was God who made a way each time I saw no way. I am a great mom and I’m able to enjoy activities with my daughter again. I have wonderful friends and family who have supported me on this journey. I am so excited to see what blessings God has for me. I know there will be new obstacles for me to overcome but I feel I am much better prepared to deal with them than before. I have too much life left in me and too much to live for to be defeated.

 Were you inspired by Kay’s story ? Share your feedback below!