Against All Odds: a Mother's Struggle to Survive: A True Story

By Treshia Green

THIS BOOK IS TO ENCOURAGE ALL MOTHERS THAT CANNOT VISUALIZE THE END OF THEIR STORMS. ALTHOUGH MANY OF YOU MAY NOT HAVE TRAVELED THROUGH THE STORMS MY MOTHER OVERCAME, SHE IS SPEAKING OUT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE CLOUDS WILL DEPART, AND THE SUN WILL DEFINITELY SHINE. SHE IS A LIVING WITNESS TO WHAT GOD CAN AND WILL DO IF YOU KEEP THE FAITH AND SURRENDER YOUR LIFE TO HIM. SHE REPEATS THE 23rd CHAPTER OF PSALSMS THROUGHOUT THE DAY, AND SHE HAS NEVER BEEN STEERED WRONG.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781468555585

Treshia Green

A WORD ABOUT THE AUTHOR Monique was born October 14, 1965, in Hope, Arkansas. She was raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She grew up as a fighter. She always stayed kicked out of school because of it. She gave her teachers so much trouble. After she gave birth to Chakelia, she went back and found each of her teachers and apologized for her behavior. She chose this path because she wanted more for her children. Many people wondered how she could become a teacher after all of the problems she caused. Her response was that she wanted to give something to all children because they acquire a lot of attention, and if she could be the one to listen, she would. She began dedicating her life to fulfill her dream six years prior to her education. Her heart truly desires to continue in this field. She has had a difficult road as she journeyed to her destination. She was in a car wreck in 2002, 2005, 2007and 2008. She is still having major medical problems, but she has the best doctor in the world as far as she’s concerned. She realizes that she too must pass the tests set before her in order to receive her blessings. One thing she does not believe in is questioning God as to why these things continue to happen to her. Instead, she takes each day in stride and continues to press forward. She has a unique quality and that is she completely worry free. It is the easiest thing to accomplish when you keep your eyes on God and give not part, but all of it to Him. “I am a survivor, look who my mother is. I have to survive. Through prayers from around the world, I know God is on my side. My faith comes from two of the most important ones in my life, God because He is always there, and my mother because she is always there, also.” Treshia Green

Book preview

Prologue

Jan O’Brien went into labor, and Jim sent for Janice, the midwife. Jim paced back and forth wondering what their fourth child would be. As Janice continued to deliver the baby, she was astounded at what she saw. You see, the baby’s head was completely engrossed in a layer of skin. Janice did not want to alarm Jan or Jim. So, she quickly removed the baby from the womb. After she cut the umbilical cord, she decided to inform Jan of her discovery.

Jan, it’s a girl.

Let me see her, Janice.

Well, I need to tell you something first.

Is there something wrong with her?

Jim waited impatiently on the other side of the door.

Is it time for me to come in, Janice?

It will be a little while longer.

Janice only concern was to present a beautiful and healthy baby to Jan and Jim.

She decided to explain what she knew about babies being born with this condition.

Jan, the baby has a layer of skin over her face.

Are you saying my baby is deformed?

No! This is not the first baby I’ve seen this way. They referred to it as a veil. This is a sign that she will be a very unique child.

What are you going to do?

Remove the skin.

How?

I’ve got to cut it.

Please be careful. Don’t hurt her, Janice.

Jan, I promise I’ll be careful.

As Janice cut the skin away, she exposed a beautiful round faced baby. Then, she turned to Jan.

Here’s your exceptional little girl.

While Jan gazed at the baby, Janice opened the door for Jim. He walked over to the bed and smiled.

Jim, I want to introduce you to our baby girl. Her name is Polly.

Polly O’Brien was born August 10, 1944. She was the fourth of ten children born to Jim and Jan O’Brien.

As Polly grew older, she could see bizarre incidences as well as sensing distinctive occurrences before they actually happened. There are four examples that Polly remembers the most. In 1956, Polly visited Mrs. Adams, the neighbor. As they sat and conversed, Polly struggled to sit still as long as she could without saying what she was hearing. Anxiety took complete control over Polly, and she began speaking…

Mrs. Adams, someone is walking around in the bedroom.

Mrs. Adams was shocked.

Polly, we are the only two in the house. It is impossible for someone to be walking around the bedroom.

Mrs. Adams, I’m positive that I hear someone walking the bedroom.

In order to satisfy Polly, Mrs. Adams led her to the bedroom. Mrs. Adams opened the door.

See, Polly, no one is there. Mr. Solomon died last night.

This virtually devastated Polly because she was stunned at what her eyes revealed. As they stood there, Polly could still hear the footsteps. A confused Polly did not learn until a few years later what she actually experienced.

In 1967, Polly lived in Kentucky. She woke up one morning and felt a tremendously amount of weight suppressing her. No matter how she attempted to shake the feeling, she was unsuccessful. At that moment, she realized someone was in danger. She called her mother.

Mother, is everything okay?

Yes, Polly. Why?

I cannot shake this heavy burden I’m carrying. I can sense that someone is in danger.

Well, this morning before dawn, Lee was standing at the back of his truck and another truck almost hit him.

As soon as Jan shares that information with Polly, the weight was lifted off of her.

Thank you, Mother. That’s what I was feeling.

I’m just glad you can get some relief now.

I am too, Mother.

After she hung up the phone, everything went back to normal.

In 1970, Polly was at work, and her head became so hot. She believed she was having some type of hot flash. The temperature continuously increased as though her head was a ball of fire. So, she immediately called Jim.

Daddy, where is the fire?!

How did you know it was a fire?

Who am I, Daddy?!

I know you were born with a veil over your head.

Then, tell me. Was there a fire in the middle room where the wood burning stove sits?

The pipe that goes through the ceiling caught on fire, Polly.

The hole in the ceiling where the pipe caught fire is about the same size as my head isn’t it, Daddy?

Yes. But how exactly did you know that?

Because my head felt as though it was engulfed in flames.

Thank God for you. You are something truly special.

I thank God that you and Mother are fine.

In 1991, Polly received a phone call from Angel, a close family friend.

Will you pray for me, Polly?

Sure. What’s wrong?

My boyfriend wants me to have an abortion.

Why? Do you want the baby?

I know I’m already struggling with my daughter, but I don’t want to abort my baby. However, I don’t know if I can provide for two children as a single mother.

Angel, let me put some clothes on, and I’m coming over to your house to pray with you.

Thank you, Polly.

When Polly arrived at the apartment, Angel opened the door in tears. They walked into the living room and began to pray. God revealed the unborn baby to Polly. She started to tell Angel God’s vision.

Angel, do not abort this pregnancy. You will give birth to a fair skin boy. He may be the child that truly serves God.

Thank you, Polly. The Lord knows I was struggling with my decision, and he guided me to call you, also.

You will be just fine. I want you to always remember that I am here for you, but keep your hand in God’s hand. He will never steer you wrong.

I needed that. Thanks so much.

You’re welcome.

Angel gave birth to her son on the fourth of July. He is a very handsome fair skin young man. He grew up and played the drums in church. He refers to Polly as Nana.

Chapter 1

The Entrance

Jim and Jan O’Brien birth ten children, six boys and four girls. They lived in a three bedroom, framed house in a small country town named Saratoga in Arkansas. Polly’s father worked in a steel mill, but he was also a working alcoholic. Regardless of Jim’s faults, he always maintained a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs, and food on the table.

Jan stayed at home to rear her children. She taught them very sound morals and values. She had two rules she strictly enforced. (1) They were not allowed to argue; no matter what. (2) Lies were not tolerated. No lies of any kind. Jan handled all of the discipline because Jim drank all the time. They learned very early that Jan was not the force they desired to be reckoned with. The majority of the time each child honored their mother’s wishes. And the household ran smoothly. However, Jan may have bent the rules herself, but she was the authority figure. The main reason she branded the rules in her children was because she argued relentlessly with Jim when he came home drunk, and she refuse to relive it through her children.

During this stage of Jan’s life, she was pregnant with her seventh child. Lee was 12, Carmen 10, Sylvia 8, Polly 6, Hunter 4, and Marie 22 months old. Marie basically ate and slept the majority of the time. Jan trusted Carmen, Sylvia, and Polly to watch Marie when she was busy.

Each morning, Jan prepared breakfast for her family before they started their individual missions. She called her children to the table.

Lee, Carmen, Sylvia, Polly, Hunter, and Marie, come eat your breakfast.

Every one appeared except Marie, she was still asleep. Jan reminded the older children about the rule at the breakfast table.

There’s plenty of food for each of you to get full. However, make sure there’s enough food for Marie to eat whenever she wakes up.

Yes, Ma’am. They all replied.

One particular morning, Lee, Carmen, Sylvia, Polly, and Hunter ate all the food. Their morning ritual had not changed, but they were not thinking about Marie. When Marie woke up, all of the food was gone. Jan was furious.

Didn’t I tell each of you to leave some food for Marie?!

They all spoke in unisons.

Yes, Ma’am.

Well! Where’s Marie’s food?!

They all spoke again.

We ate it.

Polly thought, I was the baby girl. Marie replaced me. If she wants to eat, then, she should get up with the rest of us to eat.

Jan stared each of them in their eyes.

I dare either of you to mistreat Marie again! Do we have an understanding?!

Yes, Ma’am! They exclaimed nervously.

Needless to say, no one ever made that mistake again.

Some time later, Jan went into labor, and she called for Jim.

Jim, it’s time.

Time for what?

Jim! Look at me! It’s time!

Oh!!!

He loaded the children in the truck and took them to a relative’s house. After Jan gave birth, Jim picked their children up and returned home. They were introduced to their new baby brother, Jim Jr.

During this time in History, neither of the O’Brien children ever questioned where there siblings came from because of the "OLD FOLK SAYING." It reads… Babies come from stumps or black bags. No one had a reason to question this. Why would they? It was the cardinal rule. Besides, children were not allowed at home during the actual birthing process. Oh! The other cardinal rule was that every child must be inside the house before dark.

One of the most vivid memories that stood out in Polly’s mind was her father coming home drunk, and Jan was holding Jim Jr.

Jan, put the baby down. You’re spoiling him.

Jim! Something is wrong with Jim Jr.!

He’s just spoiled.

No, Jim! He is dying because his fingertips are turning blue!

A non-respondent Jim was in distress. Under the circumstances, all he could do was lie down. She sent for the doctor to examine Jim Jr. It was too late. A few hours later, she woke Jim as she tried to compose herself.

Jim! The baby died!

Died! Died of what?!

He died of pneumonia.

I’ll take care of it tomorrow, Jan.

A distorted Jan walked out of the room weeping. The O’Brien clan wept, also.

The next day, they had a grave side service with the family and only one dear friend attending.

Although life appeared to demonstrate a downward spiral of experiences for Jan, two years later, she gave birth to another boy named Roger. It somehow began to become normal for her once again with a new baby. Now, she was blessed with the opportunity to love and rear another child.

Jan relied on Polly to feed Roger. Every time Polly fed him and no one was watching, she would drink his milk. When the bottle was empty, Roger would cry. Jan insisted he had plenty to drink, and he was being greedy. Polly knew he was still hungry, but there was no way in the world she could tell her mother he was not being fed properly. She knew Jan would whoop her.

Roger developed a problem gaining weight. Throughout his entire childhood, he unremittingly attempted to gain weight. He ate the type of food that would add at least one hundred pounds to some people. No matter how hard he tried, he still could not gain weight. Once Polly listened to Roger complain about his weight, she finally confessed.

Roger, it’s my fault that you cannot gain weight.

What are you talking about? How is my lack of gaining weight your fault?

Mother put me in charge of you. Well, she always asked me to feed you. And I drank your milk every chance I got.

Surely that’s not the root of my problem.

It has to be. If I allowed you to get full, maybe you would have developed fat cells.

Polly, I still believe my problem is deeper than missing a few full feedings.

I’m so sorry. I was just being devious. Can you ever forgive me?

There’s nothing to forgive. But if it will make you feel any better, I forgive you.

Thank you, Roger.

Although she apologized to him, she still blames herself because he cannot gain any weight now.

Jan still mourned the death of Jim Jr., but having seven strong and healthy children she swiftly proceeded to care for them very affectionately. As the years passed, Jan knew she was pregnant again. She was thrilled at the idea of having another baby in the house. She proceeded with her normal routine as she waited for the new arrival.

Polly noticed her mother’s stomach getting bigger within the two year span. She approached Sylvia.

Sylvia, there is something wrong with Mother’s stomach.

What are you trying to say, Polly?

Have you noticed how big and round her stomach is?

I saw Mother eating some beans earlier. She’s simply swollen from eating them.

Unknowingly if Sylvia could be trusted, she decided to keep her thoughts to herself.

Yeah. That must be the reason.

Polly never believed it because she knew the baby was inside Jan. Polly had figured out where babies actually came from. She never forced the conversation because she knew it would get her into trouble. How did she know? Remember she was born exceptional.

Some time later, the children were taken to a relative’s house early in the day, again. When they returned home, Jan showed them another baby named Troy.

Polly thought, I knew it! Every time we leave in a hurry and return hours later, Mother has a new baby. This is the third time I can remember. When Hunter and Marie were born, maybe I wasn’t paying any attention. Maybe I was just too young to catch on until Jim Jr. was born. Lee, Carmen, and Sylvia are older than I am, and they should be able to see the warning signs. I tried to get Sylvia to express her thoughts about Mother’s stomach, but she played dumb, or she really didn’t know. Maybe I’m the only one that’s supposed to know. If we are taken to a relative’s house again and a baby is here when we return, the unexplained mystery will be solved.

Troy continued to bleed, and he became weaker and weaker. Suddenly, Jan relived the death of Jim Jr. Without hesitation, she yelled for Jim.

Troy is still bleeding, and I cannot get it to stop!

Bleeding from where, Jan?!

His stomach!

What’s wrong with his stomach?! Did the midwife deliver him any different from the others?!

No! He was fine one minute! Now, he’s losing too much blood! He’s barely moving!

Do you want the doctor to come out here?!

No! I cannot wait that long! We need to get him to the hospital right now!

Go get in the truck, and I’ll grab your things!

Although Jan’s mind was burdened with burring a child before, she forced herself to focus on the life of Troy. Jim sped out of the driveway as the other children watched.

When they arrived at the hospital, the doctor examined Troy. Both, Jim and Jan were informed that the midwife cut the umbilical cord too short, and he needed to have a blood transfusion. Troy abruptly began to move. As Jan thanked God, a serene feeling erupted throughout her body. He regained his strength and remained healthy.

Chapter 2

Responsibilities

Jan valued Jim’s strength and determination to maintain a steady job. She knew her family never lacked necessities or desires because Jim provided whole heartedly. Jan would not allow any extra work to be put on Jim because he was the family’s main resource. Therefore, as the O’Brien’s offspring grew older, their chores increased. They raised a few horses, pigs, chickens, and cows. Caring for these specific animals simply eliminated items they normally purchased from the store. The O’Brien family was not a family of farmers, but their chores were similar.

Living in the country required an assortment of tasks incredibly different from children reared in the city. Jan appreciated the dependableness from all of her children. Furthermore, with the home running secure, both Jim and Jan discussed rewarding their children. They decided to give each of their children two dollars biweekly. Ten individuals, functioning on one income, executed the basic and necessary skills to maintain the true value of stretching a dollar. Jan approached the boys to assign each of them specific tasks.

Lee and Hunter, I want the two of you to keep the yard groomed. Roger and Troy can rake the grass and leaves for you all to burn.

Yes, Ma’am.

I also want the two of you to teach Roger and Troy how to water and feed the horses and pigs.

Yes, Ma’am.

Remember, these are you all’s daily chores. And I expect them to be completed without any problems.

Yes, Ma’am.

Lee and Hunter took Roger and Troy to the barn. They taught them how much hay to give the horses. After they finished feeding the horses, they walked to the pigs’ pin. Lee chose to feed the pigs because he did not want either of his brothers to get hurt.

I want all of you to watch what I do and how I do it.

Okay.

Hunter helped Lee lift the buckets of slop while Roger and Troy watched.

Do you see how greedy the pigs are?

Yes.

They will trample you just trying to get to their food. When each of you is older, you all will be able to do this with no problem.

Lee made sure each of them understood the correct procedure of caring for the pigs.

Now that we’ve taking care of the animals, it’s time to do the yard work. Roger and Troy follow me.

Hunter was familiar with his part of the yard work, so he started working while Lee assigned detailed jobs to Roger and Troy.

Roger, you can move anything that will be in the way when I cut the yard.

Okay. What else do you want me to do?

I’ll let you know when you finish.

All right.

Lee escorted Troy to another area of the yard.

Troy, rake the leaves into a pile. As soon as Roger finishes what he’s doing, he will help you rake.

Okay.

While the boys continued to work, Jan went to round up her girls.

Carmen, Sylvia, and Polly, I have some things I need you all to take care of.

Coming, Mother.

Carmen and Sylvia, I want the two of you to clean the house and keep the laundry washed.

Yes, Ma’am.

Polly, I need you to milk the cow every morning. When you finish, you are to help Carmen and Sylvia clean the house and wash the clothes.

Polly thought, Milk the cow, clean the house, and wash clothes. Wow! It sure is a lot for me to do. Why do I have more chores than Carmen and Sylvia? What’s so special about either of them? Since Mother assigned me more chores, I must be the special one.

Nonetheless, she kept her thoughts to herself and never complained. She simply followed the orders.

By the time Lee, Hunter, Roger, and Troy completed their chores for the day, Carmen, Sylvia, and Polly finished their chores, also. No sooner than the boys walked into the house, they totally destroyed it. Do you know the saying… boys will be boys? Well, they were exactly being boys. Polly glared at each of them as she strained to keep her cool.

What are you boys doing?! Can’t you all see how hard we’ve worked?!

Since Lee was the eldest, he spoke for the group.

Listen, Polly. We were just horse playing around. We didn’t do any of this on purpose. Besides, it’s not that big of a mess. It will not take either of you long to clean it again.

Polly thought, I’m tired of repeatedly cleaning the house when my brothers mess it up as soon as we finish. If I tell Mother, they will get into trouble, but we will still have to clean the house anyway. We need to teach them a lesson. We should destroy something they’re responsible for just to show them how it feels. Well, I guess it’s has to remain just a thought. Mother will not be please with Carmen, Sylvia, or me if we mistreat them to get even.

Polly rapidly remembered to change the tone of her voice. If Jan heard her yelling, she would get a whooping and have to clean the house.

We are going to fix it this time. But if either of you mess the house up again, you all will be the ones to explain it to Mother.

Polly, we go through this every day. You always clean the house over, so why do you want to bring Mother into it?

Because we are tired, Lee. If one of us did it to just one of you, Mother will be the first one you would tell.

You’re right. I have a solution. If you clean it one last time, we will be careful from now on.

Unsure if she could trust Lee’s propositions, she looked at him for a minute.

All right, Lee. Just this one last time.

Lee kept his end of the bargain. Whenever thing got out of hand with their playing, he made sure they fixed what they messed up.

Each Saturday, Carmen, Sylvia, and Polly washed the family’s clothes. Doing the laundry was definitely a huge job. They used a huge steel tub with a washboard. First, they filled three-fourths of the tub with water and soap to wash the clothes. Next, they drained the tub and rinsed the soap out. Finally, they refilled the tub with water and added liquid starch to the rinse water before hanging them on the clothes line to dry. As soon as they retrieved the laundry from the clothes line, they sprinkled them with water and heated the iron on a wood burning stove to press the clothes. Whenever the well was low of water, they had to walk and carry enough water from a relative’s house, which lived about one eighth of a mile up the road.

A few years later, Polly’s great-aunt, Carolyn, went to live with them for a short period of time. Jan required Polly’s assistance.

Polly, I know I allocated you a great deal of chores, but I need to give you one more.

What do you want me to do, Momma?

I want you to look after your Aunt Carolyn. Make sure you watch her closely, or we will have to find her.

What do you mean we will have to find her?

Her mind isn’t right. She disappears and gets lost. If she walks into the woods, we will have a difficult time finding her.

I promise I’ll watch her. She will be safe with me watching her. You don’t have to worry about Aunt Carolyn, Mother.

I know you will keep her safe, Polly.

Each morning when Polly woke up to go milk the cow, she checked on Carolyn to make sure she was still in the bedroom. Polly locked Carolyn in the bedroom. She wanted to make sure Carolyn would be there when she returned. Polly believed she was doing the right thing for Carolyn’s protection. Besides, she promised Jan that she would be completely responsible for Carolyn.

By the time Polly prepared to start her next chore, she checked on Carolyn. She heard Carolyn as she knocked and scratched on the door. She screamed and cried like a child being scolded.

Polly thought, Aunt Carolyn is really crazy. Why isn’t she trying to at least open the door? Why does she keep knocking and scratching? Why doesn’t she call for help? Mother said she would get lost in the woods. I can understand people getting lost in the woods especially if they’re not familiar with their surroundings. But I don’t understand why she keeps doing the same thing. She has to know that she is in a bedroom. If it was me, I would try a variety of things to free myself.

Polly listened, laughed, and continued performing her chores.

Carolyn did not know what was really happening to her. The only rationale for Carolyn was that she had somehow gotten trapped and wanted to find a way out. Regardless of all the noises she made, no one went to help her because they all knew she was sick. But Polly was aware of what she was doing. She was thrilled about trapping Carolyn as she listened to her trying to escape.

When Polly got older and thought about how she sat back and laughed at Carolyn not being able to help herself, it really hurt her. Polly was not disturbed because she locked Carolyn in the room, but because she enjoyed locking her in the room. The only explanation for her actions was that when she was a child, she thought like a child.

Chapter 3

The Siblings

Jan knew that she reared liable hard working young men and women. When Lee was seventeen, Jan realized he was old enough to work and take on some of the responsibilities she needed to pass down. She relied on Lee to help set examples for the younger ones. He obtained employment at a lumber yard, his first official job. His expectations of the job thrilled him. He repeatedly talked about how much money he would earn and all the expensive items he would purchase.

One specific morning after arriving at the job site, Lee realized how much it rained the night before. He knew he would have problems loading the truck because the ground was too soft for him to drive down the hill to the pick-up area. Lee surely did not stand a chance on completing the job if he drove down to the site if the truck got stuck. He contemplated about what he could do swiftly if he wanted to get paid. He rushed back home to proposition Sylvia and Carmen to see if they would assist him.

Sylvia and Carmen! If both of you help me carry the logs up the hill and load the truck, I will buy both of your prom dresses.

They were excited.

Sure we will help you, they stated.

They tussled with the logs. As they slid in the mud, they never gave up and accomplished the task at hand. Once the truck was loaded, Lee was only thinking of himself. His only concern was to complete the job and collect his pay.

I changed my mind; I’m not going to buy the dresses.

Overwhelming feelings of being used enclosed Sylvia’s body from head to toe. But Sylvia was no one’s fool, and her reflexes ascended as a flash of lightening. She climbed on top of the truck.

I will push each log off the truck and back down the hill!

Lee stood there devastated. He realized he had to make this right with Sylvia and Carmen.

Please don’t do it, Sylvia! I promise I will go get both of the dresses from the post office.

He was more than happy to keep his promise after Sylvia threatened to put his earnings in jeopardy. He never tried to trick them ever again.

Carmen was precise with doing her chores, but she was very devious as a child. She basically could