My Greatest Blessings

Merriam-Webster Dictionary has several definitions for the word blessing. Blessing is the act or words of one that blesses. For example, someone may say a blessing over their food or someone else. Blessing is also an approval or encouragement. When a man approaches a woman’s father and asks for her hand in marriage, he is seeking a “blessing” from the woman’s father. While all these definitions were relatable – there was one definition that stood out to me and tapped my heartstrings. Blessings are also defined as something conducive to happiness or welfare. The word conducive in this context means something that tends to promote or assist. In other words, blessings are parts of our lives that encourage or assist us with happiness or welfare.

Now, I had to take you on this word journey because as you walk through this book, I want the theme of blessing to be embedded in your heart. My declaration through this work is that my children are my greatest blessing! Not a career, not money, not cars, or houses. No matter how difficult the journey of single parenting may be, there is a part of this journey that is meant to be a blessing. If you are reading this memoir and are a parent – you could relate to the fact that it hasn’t always felt like a blessed journey. There has been difficulty along the way. But as you walk through this book, I seek to pull forward the immense joy and blessing the journey brings. At the end of this book, there are questions for each chapter to help foster internal reflection and discussion.

If you are reading this memoir but are not a parent – please remain present for the entire journey. I believe that there are areas of our lives that are common ground – we all have blessings in our lives. For some of us, our greatest blessing may be a mother or a father. It may be a sibling or a friend. It may even be a stranger. The point of the matter is that once you identify those moments and individuals in your life, it is a significant breakthrough because it will ultimately change your perception of where you have been and where you are going.