“It is not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” — Rose Kennedy

As I reflect on the remarkable lives of strong women throughout history, one figure who resonates with me is Rose Kennedy. Like Rose, I have walked a path marked by immense suffering, yet I continue to stand tall as the matriarch of my family. Watching Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Women of Camelot has deepened my understanding of the similarities between us. Despite our differences in time and circumstance, Rose and I share a profound connection in our roles as women who endure, suffer, and rise—anchoring our families through unimaginable pain.

I use to feel like Job from the Bible because my life has been suffering since childhood—until this morning’s Bible study. Another woman told me, “God didn’t let you die because your suffering doesn’t compare to how He’s going to bless you.” To hear that made me sad at first because I couldn’t imagine—nor would I wish for my worst enemy to know—the pain of having a child alive and not knowing if you’ll ever see them again. The father of that child, a person I chose, brought all this destruction into my life. While my suffering is different from Rose’s, it has been no less than Job’s. Molested as a child, more sexual abuse as an adult, emotional abuse throughout, and a foster care journey filled with every kind of abuse imaginable. For so long, I felt like Job.

But when that woman spoke everlasting blessings over my past sufferings, I began to see things differently. She summarized something I had struggled to understand: that God’s plan is greater than my pain. That realization led me to feel more aligned with Rose Kennedy. Through great suffering, like Rose, I have become the pillar of my family. I’ve stood behind a man who caused me immense agony, enduring what felt like a slow death—like being buried alive. Yet, just as God teaches us to forgive, I’ve remained, standing behind him, while the world looks at me as if I’m crazy. But God’s will is beyond my own.

Rose Kennedy, too, lived a life marked by unimaginable grief. As the mother of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, both assassinated, and Joseph Kennedy Jr., who died in World War II, she bore the heavy burden of public tragedy. Yet she remained the matriarch of her family, holding them together through grief and loss. Her strength was quiet but unwavering, much like the strength I strive to embody for my own family.

Rose also stood behind a man who brought his own share of suffering into their lives—Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.Despite his affairs and the weight of his ambitions on the family, Rose never wavered in her role as the anchor of the Kennedy household. I, too, have faced the reality of standing behind a man whose actions caused destruction and pain, yet I choose to stand in forgiveness because I believe in a higher purpose—one that transcends the pain of the moment.

Like Rose, I have faced trials that could have broken me. The abuse I endured in childhood, the battles I fought in foster care, and the emotional scars left from adult relationships have all shaped who I am today. But just as Rose remained resilient, I, too, have held fast. I remain committed to being the strong foundation my child needs, even when life feels like it’s falling apart.

The world may not understand why we, as women, make the choices we do. But Rose and I are united in our faith that God’s plan is greater than our own understanding. Rose’s life reminds me that suffering doesn’t have to define us—it can shape us into the women we were meant to become. Despite her losses, Rose became a symbol of endurance, of grace in the face of hardship. Her unwavering faith and commitment to her family are qualities I now strive to embody.

So, I declare that I am more like Rose Kennedy than I ever thought possible. I am no longer just a woman suffering through the trials of life, feeling like Job. Instead, I recognize that my suffering has prepared me for something greater. Like Rose, I stand tall in the face of pain, anchored by faith, and driven by love for my family. I embrace the role of matriarch, not because it is the role God has called me to fulfill. And just as Rose Kennedy left a legacy of strength and grace, I aim to leave behind a legacy that shows how faith can turn suffering into lasting blessings.

In reflecting on my journey, yesterday I awoke feeling like Job but today I embrace the same glory, mercy and grace God bestowed to both Job & Rose. I, too, have endured immense suffering, one after another, and faced constant loss. Even so, I hold onto hope for divine blessing. By trusting God wholeheartedly, I aim to demonstrate that the power of faith and forgiveness can lead to true and everlasting blessings. 

Despite experiencing profound personal losses and grief, Rose lived a full life, reaching 104 years old. Her suffering did not define her; instead, she transformed it into a powerful legacy of strength and dedication to her family. Rose used her pain as a foundation to support her family and contribute to their enduring success.

I, too have embraced a similar path. While my suffering has been significant, it has prepared me to turn my pain into a source of strength and purpose. I draw inspiration from Rose Kennedy’s ability to turn her trials into a lasting impact. Just as she used her experiences to fortify her family’s legacy, I aim to use my own journey to empower and uplift those around me.

The depth of pain I have experienced is particularly poignant when it involves my child, Elizabeth. The love and pain connected to my child are profound, making each struggle feel especially intense. Yet, this very pain drives me to create a powerful legacy. Like Rose Kennedy, who used her ability to build a legacy of resilience and grace from her personal trials. I, too will use my own pain to serve as a guiding light for me. I strive to follow Rose Kennedy’s example by turning my trials into a testament of faith and perseverance, showing that even in the face of adversity, it is possible to create a lasting impact.

Welcome to my world of resilience, empowerment, and authenticity. As a single mother, entrepreneur, and advocate, I share my journey to ignite strength within you. My writing, shaped by overcoming homelessness and embracing motherhood, blends raw truth with heartfelt wisdom. Together, we explore the path of healing and growth.

Here are some of my breakout pieces that have deeply resonated with readers:

1. “Inside the Head of a Severely Traumatized Soul Who Used Her Pain to Become a Trauma Specialist and Psychologist” 

This piece offers an introspective look at my cognitive process as a traumatized individual who turned to education for understanding. Earning three degrees and becoming a trauma specialist, wellness specialist, and psychologist, I am both the case study and the analyst. This compelling read sheds light on the complexities of trauma and recovery.

2. “Dollhouse”

This narrative reveals how my immediate and estranged families appeared perfect to the outside world. Despite my mother’s absence of visible issues, I ended up in foster care, challenging the misconception that outward appearances reflect true reality. Just as people underestimated my former partner’s manipulative nature, the blog demonstrates that what seems perfect may hide significant troubles.

3. “The Caregiver Paradox: Analyzing Emotional Dynamics and Familial Disconnections”

A sequel to “Dollhouse,” this piece explores the irony of how the person closest to me became my greatest disappointment. It explores how caregivers may struggle to provide the same level of care to loved ones as they do to those they are paid to care for. This engaging read offers a multifaceted perspective, blending personal experiences with sociological and psychological insights.

4. “The Boy Disguised as a Man”

This personal account challenges the belief that only women trap men by sharing my experience of being manipulated by an older man with a baby. It offers a raw look at power dynamics and manipulation.

5. “The Heart He Left Behind”

As a sequel to “The Boy Disguised as a Man,” this narrative explores themes of love, loss, and resilience in the aftermath of a difficult relationship. It continues the story of emotional growth and healing.

6. “The Legacy of Racial Classification: Johann Friedrich Blumenbach’s Influence on Racial Stereotyping and Its Modern Implications”

This blog examines the enduring impact of historical racial theories on contemporary society. It explores Johann Friedrich Blumenbach’s 18th-century racial classification and its implications for white supremacy. Through historical and modern cases, such as the Scottsboro Boys, the Attica Prison Riot, the Central Park Five, and Deandre Arnold, it highlights the persistence of racial stereotypes.

7. “The Most Beautiful Lie I Ever Heard”

This blog critiques Blumenbach’s assertion that “Caucasians are the most beautiful race,” exposing the Eurocentric perspective that placed Caucasians at the pinnacle of human development. It unpacks how this view contributed to a racial hierarchy and continues to impact our understanding of race today.

8. “Black: The Definition of Us”

Written during my Communication degree pursuit, this blog examines the Central Park Five case and the impact of Blumenbach’s views from 1775. It critiques ongoing racial biases in the justice system and explores the sociological and psychological disparities faced by minorities. This piece serves as both an educational tool and a call to action to address these injustices.

My writing is a testament to my journey and my commitment to illuminating complex issues. Join me as we navigate the intersections of trauma, race, and justice, and work towards a more empathetic and informed society. 

If you liked what you just read, please let me know—it encourages me to create and write more. You can subscribe, share, like, and comment. All of these options are free! Show me your support! Do not just like. Please subscribe(it’s free) & leave a comment! What was your favorite part, line or quote from this tex​t? 

Book & Speech inquiries ⬇️

TiarasTestimony@gmail.com

Blog: tiarastestimony.art.blog

Former Podcast: anchor.fm/Tiara92

Instagram: @tiarastestimony