Relationship Reflection

This beautiful young lady is my mom, Iris. R. Cousar. My mom has been an inspiration to me since I was a little girl. Married and divorced at young age, my mom worked two jobs, went to school, and took care of my twin and I. My mom has encouraged me immensely throughout my life, especially in my undergrad years when I wanted to throw in the towel. It's funny because now that I’m in Grad school, she says I have encouraged her to go back to school and begin working on her Master's. I know day or night, no matter the problem; I can always call on my mom for support and encouragement!!!!!

The above image (taken at 10 weeks) is of someone that I'm so in love with but have yet to meet ...my unborn child. Even though we are not set to meet until late December/early January, this little blessing has inspired and motivated me in the past 5 months more than she (I just found out on last week It's a girl!!!) will ever know. When I found out I was expecting the great news encouraged me even more to work towards my Master's. Just like my mom, I want to inspire my child to succeed and pursue her education no matter the obstacles that my come her way. I've been motivated from the start, but it seems as if now I have an extra reason to work even harder to obtain my Master's!!!!




Others whom I have a relationship/partnership with include my best friend Amber Morrision. I can call my best friend for encouragement or advice whenever it is needed. Like my mom, my best friend is  a single parent who is working hard to provide for her son. My best friend has primarily taken care of her son by herself since his entrance five years ago. Although she is focusing more on her career than completing her degree Shae has inspired me and shows me everyday that all things are possible and can be accomplished through prayer and faith. She does a wonderful with her son and I pray that I can be half the mother that Shae and my mom are!

One more person who I have a relationship/partnership with is my twin sister LaQuincia. Even though we are like night and day and fuss more than we get along, my twin has always supported and encouraged me throughout my undergrad career. She also has stated that my hard work and commitment has inspired her to continue with school, past her A.A. and she is currently pursuing her B.A. in Sociology at my Alma Mater UNC-Pembroke. It’s great to know that when someone encourages and pushed you to achieve your dreams that in turn you are actually encouraging them in return.




In my opinion and from personal experience relationships/partnerships are the glue that keeps a person or group of people together. Relationships/partnerships can be viewed as ways to encourage and help someone further advance in their life. These four relationships, in addition to many others, are important to me because they have encouraged me to continue on the path too success and to continue to strive to become the women they all know I am capable of being.

Although these relationships have yielded positive results, there can be challenges in maintaining any relationship/partnerships. Many times when you have different opinions and advice coming from various sources it can become overwhelming are somewhat difficult to take all in. However at the end of the day you realize that man of these people only have your best interest at heart.

These relationships have certainly impacted my role in the Early Childhood field. If it was not for their love, support, and encouragement I may have given up on my B.A. after not graduating on time (Spring 09, graduated Fall 2010). These relationships helped me to realize that I may have been delayed but not denied, so because of that I should continue in the pursuit of my degree. Had I not graduated, I would not have the wonderful job that I have now in the ECE field!!!