TITLE: GROWING UP WITH NOTHING: MY JOURNEY THROUGH STRUGGLES

Hi, I’m Jerusha, and welcome to LifeWithJerusha. Today, I want to share a story that has shaped who I am—the struggles I faced growing up when my mom had very little.

Life wasn’t easy. We didn’t have much, and I often felt the weight of that reality from a young age. Some days, there was barely enough to eat. Other days, I watched my mom work tirelessly just to make ends meet, carrying a strength I admired but couldn’t always understand as a child.

I remember one particular day clearly: I had only a single piece of bread for lunch, while other kids at school had full meals. I felt embarrassed and hungry, and it was hard not to compare myself to them. When I got home, I found my mom cooking with what little we had. She smiled and said, “We may not have much, but we have each other and we keep moving forward.” That moment stayed with me—her courage and love gave me hope, even when everything else seemed impossible.

These struggles shaped me. They taught me to value every small blessing, to fight for my dreams, and to never give up even when life feels heavy. It hasn’t been easy, and there are still days when I feel the weight of that past, but I am proud of how far I’ve come.

Life is full of challenges, but it’s also full of lessons. I share this story not for sympathy, but to remind anyone going through struggles that you are not alone, and even when life starts with nothing, it’s possible to grow, learn, and thrive.