Meeting My Match: A Transformative Encounter with Sheree D. Corniel

This one hits different. Today, I met my match. I’ve never been read so well—I’m sitting here stunned, flabbergasted, at a loss for words. I have to get this right; this feels like my last chance, and I won’t disappoint. I strive to exceed expectations. I strive for absolute excellence.

Today, I had the honor and privilege of being in the company of Sheree D. Corniel. This beautiful mixed queen is an innovator, THE TRAILBLAZER, creator, grassroots leader (HEAVILY NEEDED IN VEGAS), philanthropist, author, speaker, therapist—the list goes on. Like me, this amazing woman wears many hats.

Our initial exchange was more than I anticipated. I thought I was prepared for anything, but I wasn’t prepared for her. And it showed. My clammy hands, nervous gestures, and lack of eye contact were atypical for a communication veteran like myself. But she made me nervous. She didn’t mince words; she went right into my head. If you want to enter this head, you better be highly educated and approach with caution. Sheree was highly educated, with real pain and lived experience like myself. She wasn’t scared to ask the hard questions.

I told her I’ve lived here for 19 years. Outside of “candy pants” (an intro to a new character for Book 2: Intersectionality, A Love Story Divided), I never connected with another therapist here. But with this woman, it was an instant connection. She cut right to it: “Why do you want to speak here, specifically for ‘Real Talk’?” As I started to explain, she began asking questions I wasn’t prepared to answer as a polished, relaunching professional set to speak for her organization monthly. She wanted to know why I specifically wanted her organization. So we got deep, real quick. She was straightforward: “I have a grant letter to write, so we’re going to get real deep. I’m not called ‘Real Talk’ for no reason. Tell me the real!”

Well, damn. This was intimidating: it was my first day as Tiara, the mother and serial entrepreneur. Not Cali. Not Zen. There were no more safety nets. This was it. And I wanted it. So hot, clammy, sweaty, and uncomfortable, I delved into my pain, purpose, and history. While she caught me by surprise, I left “Real Talk” feeling more powerful than ever because God used this woman to break it all the way down into the most simplistic fraction. If I want this to be it, I have to change the way I’m moving.

She said, “You sound bitter, angry, full of pain and hate! God doesn’t bless hate! I hear it in the way you speak about your mother. You call her your ‘twat giver’? How dare you!” This was a conversation I wouldn’t want to have with a professional, let alone an organization wanting to book me for monthly speeches—and not on my first day, without the comfort of those six-inch stilettos I knew I could throw on if all else failed.

No, this was truly it. I was done with stripping. I had been done with stripping once I launched my first business, Problem Solved, but the thing about being a mother is you can be done, but as a mom, there’s nothing you won’t do for your child. So while I wanted to be done, I had to feed my child. But when I tell you, I am truly done with that life this time.

After I finally surrendered and let her into my mind and heart, she sensed a deep longing for love—not just any love, but a mother’s love. She said, “The problem here is not you, your ex, or your child. Your child wouldn’t be here without your mother, whom you speak so poorly of. Until you forgive your own mother, your life will forever be a rollercoaster. Forgive your mom, and your ex will forgive you!” Wow, she had done it. She had stunned me. At this point, I was all ears because everything she said rang true. If repairing the relationship with my mom gets me my daughter back, then sign me up for reconciliation.

I am happy to report that my mother and I have agreed to start over. Recently, she was baptized, and I myself have had a spiritual awakening. I believe it helped with our reconciliation. So I’m going to rewrite my first memoir in honor of Ms. Sheree D. Corniel and my mother. I realize now that I wrote my first book out of anger and bitterness because I felt betrayed and unloved by my own mother. And I never had a father. But after speaking with Sheree D. Corniel, I now realize that I really just wanted the love of my mother. Because I’ve been denied the unconditional love I crave, I’ve developed avoidant personality traits, which is what I did with her. I avoid things, situations, and people that make me uncomfortable. But instead of avoiding them, I now know I need to understand them.

Understanding is what’s needed. I believe improper parenting leads children to be “lost.” They go on a journey of trying to find themselves because they never felt understood at home. We don’t want our kids lost. We don’t want them on a journey seeking love and approval from others, when, if they had received this attention and love from their primary parents, they wouldn’t have to endure a journey of feeling lost and looking for what they didn’t get at home. That’s my whole purpose here. And that was Sheree D. Corniel’s purpose in getting me to really receive the gems and knowledge she was dropping on me. If I want my daughter to avoid a lost journey, I have to save my own mother-daughter relationship. To really break this generational curse, I have to start within my own family. It was hard to face, but I am so happy that God’s timing is all that matters. Thank you, God, for mending this. I pray Elizabeth comes back to me sooner rather than later.

Thank you, Sheree D. Corniel. I will be doing an additional blog on what “Real Talk” is, how it’s helping our community, and what Las Vegas locals can do to help you reach your mission.

If you like my writing so far, please leave a comment on your favorite post. Let me know what you particularly liked and if there was anything you didn’t understand. Tell me what additional information or value the text might be missing. Your feedback encourages me to create and write more. You can subscribe, share, like, and comment—all of these options are free! Show me your support!

Book inquiries & email address: TiarasTestimony@gmail.com

Blog: tiarastestimony.art.blog

Former Podcast: anchor.fm/Tiara92

Instagram: @tiarastestimony

Subscribe to my blog it’s free!