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Each month we spotlight an "unbelievable, but true" story from a single mom to inspire and console and, more importantly, to remind us that we're not alone. If you have a story you'd like to share, just send us an email with your story. Please try to limit the stories to three or four paragraphs. Now for this month's story--

I have worked in the same job for the last 14 years. I met my ex-husband, the father of my two children on that job.

Well, much has happened in the last 6 years. We married, bought a new home, had two beautiful daughters. Then he started having affairs and left me with our two daughters.

He decided he didn't love me anymore and didn't want to play daddy, either. Turns out he was having an affair with his secretary (yes, all 3 of us worked in the same building). Blah, blah, blah, we divorced; blah, blah, blah, he married someone else.

And the three of us are still working in the same building.

Ok, with that said, this jerk has not picked up our children in over 2 years, though he has seen them briefly (maybe 3 or 4 thirty minute to one hour visits when THEY CALL HIM and beg him to come over) Ok....again enough of that.

Here is the highlight of this "you thought you had it bad." My children's school had a head lice epidemic. Of course he's not around and didn't have to deal with all the scrubbing and washing and fine tooth combing, expense, etc. Anyway, my youngest daughter had beautiful thick, long blonde, naturally curly hair. Hair so beautiful that EVERY single stranger we passed was compelled to reach out and touch it or at least comment on it. She got that from her father, but "thank God" she (and her sister) look like me. After hours of washing, fine tooth combing, for the third round of the head lice crap, I had had enough - I had my daughter's hair cut off over her ears!

Now for the kicker! I take a picture of her, front view and back. She looks adorable with her short hair. It's still curly on top, just cut very short in the back and on the sides. One day I corner her father at work...remember I work with him and his new wife. Anyway, I show the picture of our daughter to him. He looks at the picture, then tosses it back to me and says, "WHO'S THAT?"

And you thought you had it bad?

This is the story of Tammy Jones, founder of Single Rose - an Internet resource for single mothers. Tammy and her two daughters (ages 6 months old and 3 years old) found themselves alone in December 1991. Tammy's husband announced he was in love with another woman! Devastated by this and at the same time recovering from a difficult pregnancy and subsequent botched-up hysterectomy, Tammy found herself unemployed and alone with two very young children. Since beginning Single Rose, Tammy has appeared on TV, has been featured in many newspapers and magazines across the nation, including USA Today and Working Woman Magazine, and has made guest appearances on radio talk shows around the country. You can reach Tammy at (817)572-0749 or email her at rose@singlerose.com.

Jody Seidler is a writer for children's media. She has written several lyrical stories on divorce and self-esteem issues for children. She has been nationally published in Divorce Magazine, USA Today, and Better Homes and Gardens. Currently, she runs single parent chats and forums online, at schools, and businesses; and hosts events and educational forums for single parents. She is the single mother of a seven year old boy named Sam.

Jody's vision is to help pave the way for other single parents in their triumph over the challenges of juggling a life for themselves and a comfortable and healing way of life for their children.

Support during this challenging transition helps to shift fear into faith and gives us greater freedom to explore our lives more fully and with less stress. You can make a difference in your community by starting your own single parent support group!


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©1997 Numont Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.

Poems, articles © Jody Seidler 1997 unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.