Women of the World was honored to have Nikki Walker speak to us at our latest mother's day event. Here is a copy of her remarks below reminding our clients of their courage as mothers coming from different countries.
"Mothers have the remarkable task of raising nations. Through our hands, the minds of our children are fertilized and nurtured. Out of our hands come beautiful gardens of thinkers and doers who populate the earth. We seed the world with its future whether we like it or not. It’s the reason God gave us so many tools to use in our gardens. He gave us hands that heal, tongues that encourage, arms that hug, and hearts that love beyond understanding.
But the most important tool in our box is courage. Courage walks with us into childbirth. It is our companion as we make decisions during child-rearing. It is our confidant when our children have grown and we must let them go. But for you, mothers raising children in a foreign land, mothers surrounded by the unknown who must still make a warm and comfortable space for her children, mothers who have made the ultimate sacrifice of leaving their homes to find a better life for their children…for you, courage is your superpower.
I’ve had the uncomfortable experience of tapping into that superpower, too. Like you, I was displaced from my home. I lost everything and had to make the decision to leave my home state in search of a better life for myself and my son. My child has been the biggest source of courage in my life. The desire to do what is best for him forces me to move mountains even when I feel weak.
Let me tell you a story. Before moving to Utah, I was a successful business owner. I had worked hard in my industry to gain recognition in my field and provide my clients with the best service. For a while, I was celebrated. My success was an inspiration to others and the fuel to keep me moving forward. My son was in college and life was good. Then, my father died. I spent the last five days of his life at his bedside praying for a miracle. That miracle never came. I fell into a deep, dark place where depression was all I could feel. I cried every day and began to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. It felt like I was in the middle of a rainstorm with no end.
One day I woke up and realized I had lost everything. My car, my apartment, all of my clients. My son, still in college was living on campus so I knew he would be safe for a while. More rain. I found a temporary home on the couch of my best friend and prayed to my father in Heaven that he would lead me out of this dark place before I had to bring my son home. I hardly had the courage to face him.
But God has an assignment for me on the other side of the country that I couldn’t have imagined. While it was a difficult decision to leave my son on the east coast and travel out west for a job opportunity, courage stood its ground and faith propelled me forward. In Utah, I found my purpose. I learned things about myself that I never knew and all of it has benefitted my son. He has grown into a tall plant based on a mountain, soaking up the sun from elevations unknown. We’re not homeless anymore and I’m just a few weeks he will be graduating from the college that once shielded him from homelessness. Through all of the trials and tribulations, courage helped me to water him and cultivate his leaves. Courage will give you the same drive. It will push you to do things that you never thought possible. It will walk with you through the storms and be your companion when you most need it. Allow courage to be your farmhand as you nurture your gardens. Remember that you must bloom where you are planted and make the most of every raindrop and sunray! Your gardens need both. Happy Mother’s Day, ladies! Thank you."
We are grateful for Nikki's kind and inspiring words that helped contribute to a wonderful and uplifting event.
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