Doing Good on Earth: A letter from Vanilla

"From day one Tara, you came into me and kids life and reminded us that real love has no race gender or nationality. You have helped us out in so many different ways. You always reminded Caniyah that she is smart enough for anything but most importantly you helped her realize how beautiful she is ❤️. You showed us true friendship and love time and time again. You were a listening ear but most importantly and praying women. All the times I wanted to give up, you were right there reminding me of all the reasons I should keep going. For those reasons you have a true friend for eternity and I love you so much Tara. Thank you for always being there for me and my family.

When I first became a mother at 16, I thought I had everything figured out and honestly thought since I didn't have support I didn't need it. Well, I was wrong. Being a young mother is and was hard for me especially when all I wanted was for my daughter to have a better life. I had to figure out what was more important my pride or my baby girls future. I chose her and when I did that I just knew it was going to get better. Once again I was wrong. I've been homeless, beaten up, and stomped deep into the ground where it felt almost impossible for me to get back up. All I ever wanted was to give my children a better life. Til this day that's still all I want. I finally felt a little free when I purchased my first vehicle, a 2004 Ford explorer. That was in 2017. That truck provided me and my kids a little bit more of a security. I didn't have to beg for a ride to the grocery store anymore. I was able to get things done that was a full time task when I didn't have a vehicle such as, laundry, school pop ups, doctor appointments and even a Job. Well here it is 2019 and I'm right back to square one with that eery feeling in my stomach that I know so well, begging for help. Not because I messed up but because my vehicle did lol. The only difference now is I know things are going to get better. That is my growth and development. I don't want any hand outs all I really need is support and motivation because I'm a firm believer that nobody owes you anything. I'm not lazy, I'm a mother first and everything else last I just know when it comes to hard times we've been together for 20+ years and I'm ready for a divorce lol. I laugh from crying everyday because my babies will not benefit from my tears. This is my story... "

Vanilla G.