When people see the Mercedes I drive, they often say pretty standard things like “nice ride!" which honestly, they are not wrong, but every once in a while someone says something that throws me off a little. For instance, someone recently said to me "oh, a Mercedes, i'd never actively go out and look for a Mercedes" and if you know me, or have spent any time with me at all, you would know that I did not in fact "actively" go out and look for a Mercedes. This vehicle came with a lot of hardship and devine intervention, all in which made this incredible manifestation possible for us. It’s hard for me to describe how comments like this makes me feel. Yes, the vehicle is beautiful, and yes, it’s an incredible blessing, an unexpected reward from the universe. But the truth is, this vehicle represents so much more to me than an unexpected dream fulfilled. It embodies everything I’ve been through in the last four years or so to get here. And believe me when I say that this vehicle came at a cost.
Let me take you back to where this journey began.
Four years ago, I was a newly single mother with only $178 to my name. I was losing my home, my partnership, and the life I once thought I had. My ex’s infidelity was the breaking point, and with it, I lost more than just a partner. I lost the sense of stability I had once relied on. He took the vehicle I drove, kept the pets I loved, and left me with a broken heart.
I found myself juggling a part-time job, struggling to make ends meet while balancing motherhood and the emotional weight of everything that had happened. The hardest blow came with the loss of my mother to cancer. Grief consumed me, and on top of that, I had to watch my dad battle his own health issues, from having a heart attack that lead to having a pacemaker put in, and later, a stroke after he’d finally found some peace following my mom’s passing.
But life didn’t slow down. It kept throwing curveballs. My oldest son was injured playing club football and placed on a waitlist for surgery. My youngest, who is suspected to be on the autism spectrum, was struggling in school and dealing with overwhelming anxiety. As a mother, it was impossible not to feel the weight of it all. I was trying to keep it together, while trying to find myself amidst the chaos, but by the grace of God, I was able to continue to provide my children with the unwavering love and support they needed and for that I am grateful.
During this time, I moved to a new apartment an hour and 20 minutes away from work, hoping to give my kids more stability since their school and extracurricular activities were in that town. I also hoped to find a second part-time job to supplement our income. But just two weeks after the move, I got promoted to a full-time position at my organization. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, so the long drive just became part of my new normal.
Along the way, I met, fell in love with, and got engaged to my incredible fiancé, Chris! who has stood by me through two years of chaos with unwavering strength and humility. He, too, has faced struggles. His life was turned upside down after an accident involving a cow that totaled his “new-to-him” vehicle. Yet despite it all, we found each other and began dreaming of a future together. Last year, he proposed to me, and now we’re planning our dream wedding together.
But even with these blessings, life hasn’t been easy. I was also involved in an accident and that vehicle was also written off. It’s been 3 months since the accident and I am still healing my physical and emotional scars but so very thankful that I was the lone occupant in the vehicle when the accident occurred. On top of that, there are five of us living in a two-bedroom apartment. It’s cramped, and our living situation isn’t ideal. My fiancé and I sleep in a converted dining room, and we juggle the responsibilities of being partners, parents, and caregivers. My youngest is now homeschooled and in counseling, receiving help from an amazing caregiver, though all of this is paid out of pocket. Financial struggles continue, as does the lack of support from my children’s father, as he is not involved in their day-to-day expenses or responsibilities, and his limited involvement has certainly had an impact on them. Yet, despite everything, we press on. My oldest son is finally getting his much-needed surgery. My youngest is getting the care he needs, and we’re looking forward to his next round of assessments. The challenges are many, but a deeper sense of resilience has taken root in our family, keeping us going. We’re stronger than we realize, and we prove that every single day.
And then, there’s the Mercedes. It’s become a symbol of our hard work, perseverance, and unwavering faith that things can and do get better. It represents everything we’ve been through, from our the darkest days to the moments of great joy and hope. This vehicle is more than just a luxury; it’s the manifestation of everything we’ve worked for, even when the road ahead seemed impossible.
So, when people tell me how lucky I am to have a Mercedes, I smile and nod. But deep down, I know the truth: it wasn’t luck that brought me here. It was the strength to keep going, even when everything felt like it was falling apart. The Mercedes Effect isn’t just about a vehicle. It’s about the journey, the lessons learned, and the miracles that unfolded along the way.
If you’re going through hard times, know that even when it feels like you’re barely hanging on, there’s a power inside you that can help you rise. It might not be a vehicle that materializes as the result, but something equally miraculous will come to you when you least expect it. The key is to keep moving forward, through the pain, through the fear, through it all, because I honestly believe that good things come to people who work hard, stay patient, and remain positive. It’s often a combination of effort, perseverance, and openness to opportunities that leads us to our success!
This is the Mercedes Effect.
Cheers,
Coach Jo 🩷
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