The die was cast long before she realized it had been set in place.

It was love she sought – love, unconditional, dependable, true.

Her innate behavior stemmed from a situation of of her control – but still, she stayed positive, and believed there had to be more.

An unplanned pregnancy shocked her back.

Her teen years sealed her fate for the next two decades. She remained pure, focused on her God and faith, until the relentless negativity and pressure wore her down.

She focused on making life as stable as possible for her child. Working 2-3 jobs, trying to stay on the straight and narrow.

An elopement which looked good on paper, but was disastrous, came next. For six years she took her kids to school, kept house, and lived a lonely life while he strayed and eventually left, after striking a child in anger. Never was one dime of child support given for over a decade – and the deadbeat disappeared, leaving her with all financial responsibilities.

A predator slithered in to a life now dedicated to serving God. A relationship founded on lies, that nearly destroyed them all. She fled for her life…but not before all had been abused or assaulted.

By now she was working two jobs and going to college. She slept on a mattress on the floor and did all to keep her children fed, together, in church, and loved.

She landed in a stable place, working nights to spend the most time with her children. Nightly dinners together at the table, daily declarations of love, as she tried her best to hold it together.

A final marriage, to a good man, during the kids tumultuous teen years. Rejection started then as the children broke off to find their own lives.

She didn’t know that her path was set before she had words.

She did the best she could with what she knew…and from what was never modeled to her.

The plumb line of her faith is wrapped tightly around her now, as she watches her children fade away, taking their children with them.

Her job is done.

She thought it would last much longer.