“Mother has been my role my whole life. It is an instinct for me. I have five kids. Four girls and a boy. I had my first child when I was 14 and got married at 16. I wasn’t ready, but I had to grow up quickly. My mother was on drugs and wasn’t around. I became a mother for my brother and sister. I was five years old standing on a chair making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches because there was no one else to take care of us. I am a survivor by the grace of God. I taught my kids there are consequences to sex and not to do what I did. They are choosing careers and college. One of my daughters is entering the nursing program at South and another is a dental hygienist. My son is graduating from high school and about to start at UAB. I broke the cycle because I don’t want my kids to endure the abuse or neglect I went through. It has been a journey to get here, but I am so proud. There are hope and light at the end of a dark childhood.”