Wendi's Story

My story started not much different from many of you. I went through a separation in 2001 from my husband of 17 years after years of physical and emotional abuse to our four children and myself. It was as if we were being smoked out of a hole like a mole that had intruded on a garden. We were cut off financially and my children were falling apart one by one. I guess this was too much for my so-called friends to handle because, one by one, all those people whose kids I babysat and with whom I had helped plan school events dwindled away and I was left with no support system. I have no family to fall back on and was too full of pride to seek help where I probably should have. I felt completely alone.

I had heard comments from church members about how we were being “tested.” I thought, “Tested? I am tired of the testing just give me the final exam." I felt like I was being swallowed into a huge hole. Every job I obtained I lost due to trying to get help for my kids at the same time, and we were all sinking fast. I went through horrible anxiety and depression. My father passed away, my car was repossessed, and my house was sold. I felt like I had nothing that I could give my children, so I started thinking they would be better off if I was not here because then their dad would have to step in and help them. I was no longer thinking clearly and my self-esteem was basically non-existent. I attempted suicide and even felt like a failure at that because I did not succeed. (Thank goodness I did not succeed.)

It was after the attempts at my life that I knew I had to get a support system around me, and I started to attend Single Mother's Outreach meetings and events. I joined a support group that met at the Boys and Girls Club in Canyon Country and I heard the other women discuss the trials they had gone through, how they were feeling, and what helped them cope. For the first time in five years, I did not feel alone. What an amazing feeling to know this, to actually have a place where people understood me. It took me three or four meetings to open up and talk about things I had been through. Of course, I only shared a little and scratched the surface, but what a huge weight was then lifted from me.

I started attending other events like the Mother's Day event at Magic Mountain. What a memory that was for my girls and me. We had not been able to afford to go to Magic Mountain in I don't know how long, and here we were having a beautiful lunch and super fun day. I attended a Financial Peace University information session, and through these events, met DaAnne Smith. What an amazing, genuine person she is. She is so giving of her time and her heart. She was my angel at a time when I was at the bottom of the barrel.

I was able to regain my self-esteem. I was able to get and hold a good job, move on with determination, and put myself on a path to a very lucrative career as a band manager and promoter. I feel good; my kids are all doing well. My oldest joined the Army and is now a sergeant, my other son is an actor, and my daughters are both in school at two separate universities and doing very well.

I can never thank this organization enough for the literal lifeline they were for me. They were the instrument to get me to save myself and to save my family.