First 30 Days Blog

Redefining Life

I was divorced some day in January 2008. I don’t remember the actual date and I know it’s on the divorce decree, but it’s not an event I want to celebrate, relive or even remember.

I sometimes have moments of clarity of why I had to go through it; problems still surface with the X that remind me why it happened. During other moments, I completely forget the pain, the struggle and the scars that still exist on my soul. Those moments are actually becoming more frequent as I move forward and try to figure out who I am, what I want and where I am going at the tender age of 41.

I found a tangible way to help me deal with the emotional ride I am on, and to hopefully spread joy to other single moms (I have two beautiful daughters, ages 9 and 6).

I was picked up and brought back to life by a wide group of very good friends. Some are single, most are married, and they stood by me during a devastating period of my life, and continue to do so even though I am definitely on the road to recovery.

I am a photographer by trade, working full-time on staff at a major city daily, where I have been for nine years. The economy has been particularly rough on my industry and this summer, I decided to officially launch my own portrait business. It’s my “Plan B,” and it is going really well.

Through a series of events, including divorcing, meeting other single moms, joining a new church, establishing relationships with other divorced men & women, I realized the “revival project:”

Becoming a single mom comes with many challenges.

By the grace of God, I am blessed with friends and family whose generosity and selflessness have made my life easier as I transition into a new phase of my life. My very own revival.

Now it’s my turn to give back.

For a few hours a month in my home studio in Mokena, IL, I will photograph single moms and their children for a nominal fee. Whether divorced, widowed or never been married makes no difference.

For a $25 sitting fee, single moms receive an 8×10 portrait, and a chance to view and purchase additional photographs through the revival project.

$10 from each revival project portrait is donated to the Crisis Center for South Suburbia, a local organization that offers shelter and assistance to battered women and children.

The project has been well-received, with plans in the works to photograph families in their transitional housing.

By working on something meaningful, I have been able to direct my time, talent and energy in a positive direction. It benefits my soul and hopefully the souls of other women, too.

Shared by jeaniel23.

Posted by First 30 Days on December 18th, 2008 in Personal Stories | 2 comments

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