What Daughters can Learn From Their Mother's Relationships

I was 8 when my mom and dad divorced. It was a difficult time for me especially seeing my mom in so much pain. My dad wasn't around a lot as he was always at work, racing or building cars. My mom and dad married young. My mom was 16 and my dad was 19. My dad was in the service and met my mom in a dance club. My mom was soon pregnant with my older brother. They weren't in love when they married, but that is what you did back then. They did struggle, but what can you expect on a service mans salary. My brother was born 1 month shy of my mom's 17th birthday. My dad soon retired from the military and found a job at a local mechanic shop. I was born when my mom was 19 and my dad was 22. My mom and dad seemed to get along, but what does a toddler know? I remember my dad and mom fighting. My dad was kneeling on the floor and my mom was sitting on a chair. He had her arms in both hands and he was shaking her saying over and over, "tell me the truth". For a little girl I didn't know what was going on. I peeked out of my door and my dad told me to shut the door.

Like I said, my mom and dad divorced when I was 8. My mom was a high school drop-out and didn't have any money to fall back on except for possible alimony and child support. My mom went out an applied for a waitress job. She got it and worked for about a week and then was let go. She then got a job at a bar. We, my brother and I, knew my mom was having a hard time. She did seek the help of food stamps to help get us by. She was struggling, but she was doing it. Then came the people that repoed our stove and refrigerator because my dad didn't pay the bills as he agreed to.

My mom soon met my step-dad, who purchased a new stove and refrigerator so we wouldn't go without. That was also the Christmas I remember where all I got was a stuffed animal. It was a present from my step-dad prior to them eloping to Reno to get married. My mom was again married. She seemed to love him and he seemed to love her. But something just wasn't right! They didn't seem to talk. At least, I didn't hear them talk. By this time, I was 9 and could recognize this and wondered how long the relationship would last. To be exact, approximately 11 years, before my mom was struggling again. She still didn't have her GED and had to get a job. She applied for a bartender job and started work the next day.

I have learned so much from my mom and her relationships. I value the experience my mom went through and hope one day she'll find true happiness.