Yashica
“Be willing to ask for help during your weakest times, so when you are strong again, you will be able to use your strength to help those who need you in their time of need.”
Yashica is friendly, family-oriented, and a lover of the outdoors. She believes that having the courage to ask for help is one’s greatest strength, and she never hesitates to lend a hand to others. Her optimism, determination, and support network have helped guide her through life’s unexpected rip tides. Meet Yashica. This is her story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
Y: Hey Y’all! I’m Yashica (Yah-She-Ca).
I Was Born & Have Lived Most Of My Life Here In The South. I Married My High School Sweetheart. We Have Five Sweet Children, One Incredible Grandson & One Grandpuppy! I Am A SAH Mom To Our 2 Teenagers & I Love Spending Time With Our Grandson! My Favorite Activities Are Teaching Acrobatics, Yoga, Hiking, Road Tripping, Meeting New People & Eating Good Food!
K: Describe yourself in your own words
Y: I Am An Ambivert! I’m Equally Fulfilled With Being With People Or Spending Time Alone! I’m Compassionate & Caring! I Love To Encourage Others! I’m Determined! I Stand & Speak Up For Things That I Believe In! I’m Energetic! I’m Talkative! I’m Definitely Outdoorsy! There Is No Place I’d Rather Be Than Outside!
K: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
Y: My Resilience! My Life Is Not Perfect & At Times I Didn’t Think I Was Going To Make It! I’ve Always Had A Spark Of Not To Quit! I Tell My Children “We May Bend, But We Will Not Break!” We Know That Our Help Comes From The Most High. We Have What We Need To Overcome Life’s Challenges. I’m Also Humble Enough To Ask Others I Trust To Help Me Get Through The Adversities Of Life If I Need Help. I’m Amazed & Grateful In How I Continue To Thrive In Spite Of Life’s Tough Times!
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
Y: Asking For Help Doesn’t Make You Weak, It Reveals Your Strength Even When You Don’t Feel Strong. Life Threw Me A Gut Punch When My Husband Was Deployed On His Second Deployment To Iraq In 2009. I Was At Home With 5 Children Ages 15, 13, 10, 3 & 1. Not Only That, But We Found Out Our 3 Year Old Was On The Autism Spectrum. My Husband Has Been My Rock Since Day One! He Is The Best Provider! He Takes Care Of Our Tribe! With Him Gone I Had Too Much On My Plate Than I Could Physically & Mentally Handle. My Problem Was Believing The Narrative That I Am A Super Mom & I Can Handle Anything That Life Throws My Way! Now I’m Constantly Growing In My Strength But At The Time My Husband Was Deployed I Was Not Emotionally Prepared To Deal With 5 Children & One With Special Needs.
In My Time Of Need I Was Reminded That’s It’s Okay To Ask For Help. I Asked My Friends To Help Me Out & At First I Was So Ashamed! But I Remembered “My Grace Is Sufficient For You, For My Power I Made Perfect In Your Weakness!”
That Verse From The Living Word Reminded Me That Yes There Are A Lot Of Things I Can’t Do Alone & I Will Need Help & It’s Okay To Ask For It! I’m So Thankful! That I Had The Courage To Ask. “You Have Not Because You Ask Not” My Community & My Amazing Friends Came To My Rescue! The Help, Love, Support, & Encouragement Saved Me From A Breakdown. Be Willing To Ask For Help During Your Weakest Times So When You Are Strong Again You Will Be Able To Use Your Strength To Help Those Who Need You In Their Time Of Need.
K: What advice would you give your younger self?
Y:
•Do Not Let The Fear Of Failing Hold You Back!
•Do Not Let Others Dull Your Shine!
• Do Not Concern Yourself With What Others Think About You!
•No Is A Complete Sentence!
•Embrace Who You Are!
•Believe In & Love Yourself!
•Do Things That Make You Happy!
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
Y: Women Are Truly Incredible! We Are A Life Source! I Am A Mother & A Grandmother! I Was Blessed To Be Able To Bring Life Into This World! I’m Blessed To Be Able To Help Take Care Of Our Grandson! I’m Blessed To To Take Care Of & Nurture My Family! I’ve Been Equipped To Serve Others In My Community With Love & Kindness! Yes I Love Being A Woman To Be Known As A Powerful Creative Force In This World!
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
Y: It Is My Beloved Grandmother Doretha Brown! She Is The Woman Who Taught Me To Be A Lady! She Was An Unconditional Source Of Love! Especially When I Got Pregnant In College! She Was My Source Of Encouragement, Her Patience With Me Was Unbelievable, Her Cooking Skills Were Off The Charts! Her Wisdom Was The Best & Her Hugs Were The Sweetest! She Was The Glue That Kept Her Family Together & By Her Sharing Her Unconditional Love & Grace Her Legacy She Left Within Me Will Help Me To Do The Same For My Tribe! Thank You Grandma & I Love & Miss You Much!