Debbie's Column


Stories written from the experience of raising four children as a single mother. Being a single mother is one of the most challenging roles ever. You, single mothers, ARE AMAZING and STRONG and you can do it! God Bless you in your journey!

I Remember Bunny Well

I Remember Bunny Well

I remember Bunny well.  I’ve worked with many people over the years, but few stand out in my memory as strongly as Bunny. Her real name was Elizabeth.  But everyone called her Bunny for she was born on Easter Sunday.  When I met Bunny for the … Read More »

Halloween

Halloween

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. As a young girl I couldn't wait until school got out so I could hit the streets. The costume was secondary to the actual conquest. My goal was strictly to fill up my pillowcase with as much … Read More »

The Announcement

The Announcement

I remember clearly the night she told me. And even though somehow I knew she would, it was still a shock at the time. Amanda is my oldest child, and my only daughter. Through her young life she suffered many of the  blows that accompany an … Read More »

I watched my youngest son graduate last Thursday. Well sort of…

Graduate

It was a warm June evening and in St. Petersburg Florida when I say warm I mean hot and humid. The sky was fairly clear when we left the house to head over to the high school.  I had been preparing myself for this day.  My youngest son would be … Read More »

Special Ed

“It’s not supposed to be like this!!!”  I heard the voice in my head say over and over. “I did not ask to raise four children by myself!  This was not part of the plan!!!” I was sitting outside a large conference room at my youngest … Read More »

Easter

Easter

It was Easter Sunday weekend and my boys had gone to Michigan with their father. This was the first time I had been away from them on a holiday and my heart was heavy with grief. My daughter refused to go and in truth threw a major fit in the front … Read More »

The Bronco

5710536_s

I am not sure, looking back, why I did it.  At the time it seemed like the right choice. The year was 1996.  Recently divorced, I had been fighting my way back to some sort of piece of mind.  Unfortunately, I hadn’t arrived yet. My … Read More »

The Fire

The fire

I stood outside on that cold February night, never noticing the temperature.  As my children and I stood there, we watched our house literally go up in smoke from across the street.  The fire truck sirens screeched in the background as neighbors … Read More »

This Is It!

“This is it!” I sighed as I took a deep breath.  “This is really it!” It was a steamy hot and humid day in early August.   The Midwest is known for its erratic weather, and today was no exception. We had hit the wall about four hours … Read More »

Graduation

Graduation hat

It was a warm humid day in early June. Excitement rose in my heart.  The day had finally arrived and I was still somewhat amazed that I had actually gotten here! Between juggling night school, waitressing during the day and raising my four children, … Read More »

My 47th Birthday

Two cakes

The thing that I really enjoy about writing is that it allows me to take a snapshot of an experience in my mind and then capture it in words on paper. It has been challenging over the years as a single mom to feel recognized for all the hard work … Read More »

The Teddy Bear on My Bed

Teddy bear

There’s a teddy bear that sits on my bed. At 46 years old, its probably not apropos, but regardless, it is there. It is there to serve as a reminder for me. A reminder of love. When I was going through an extremely painful time in my life, I took … Read More »

The Slippery Spots on the Floor

Hardwood floor

If you ask anyone that knows me well, “Does Debbie like to clean?” the answer would be a resounding NO!  Cleaning is not my thing. And I  am not a bit ashamed to admit that.  But I do like to have things clean.  I enjoy organizing, I don’t … Read More »

Debbie Brown
Debbie Brown is a Single Mother and Author. She currently resides in St Petersburg Florida and works as a Social Services Director for a local healthcare facility. Debbie was gifted with the challenge of raising four children alone. Her children are older now and Debbie spends her free time writing and speaking to local organizations about the challenges and joys of single motherhood. It is her passion and purpose to encourage other single mothers to see their own unique purpose in this world, and to empower them through her writing to see how special and wonderful they are. Debbie is finishing up her first book entitled, “In The Midst of Chaos, Reflections of a Single Mom”.