Every Single Step : A Memoir

By Charmaine Shettlesworth

In the book Every Single Step, Charmaine begins her story with her family's relocation to a new neighborhood in Trelawny, Jamaica. She describes a life that is exciting but often terrifying and heart-wrenching. Her community in Trelawny is gloomy and replete with nosy and ruthless neighbors who gave the highest value to people of wealth and significant means. Her family could not afford many of the necessities of life, let alone maintain a lifestyle that would earn respect and admiration from the neighbors. As they were not wealthy, the neighbors mistreated them, and the children never missed an opportunity to remind Charmaine of her lower class.

As Charmaine matured from childhood to early adulthood, her beauty was apparent. Many noticed and felt envious. Others recognized her intelligence and natural abilities but tried to use her poverty against her. She endured hunger, bullying, and isolation every day that she lived in Trelawny. Facing these experiences made her resilient and taught her the value of the love and support of a family that shares the same struggles. Together they endured times of hunger when there's no food, long, cool nights, and the only source of light comes from one available kerosene lamp and doing without necessities that others around them took for granted. They endured these difficulties together, formed a tight-knit bond, and learned they could depend on each other.

The challenges, dreams, and aspirations inspired her to keep her head down and ignore the noises on the outside; she kept moving in the direction of her dreams. Little did she know that fate would favor her and lead her to some of the most exciting and unimaginable moments of her life. But while she continued to reach for the stars, she kept her dreams hidden, determined not to let anything, or anyone, stop her from making those dreams a reality, no matter how long it took. Charmaine's story is irresistible and captivating. It will grab you from the first word of the first page and keep you reading until the last word of the last page. We invite you to take this journey with Charmaine as she shares her story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stone Cold Publishing House
• Release date: Jan 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201355074

Charmaine Shettlesworth

Charmaine Shettlesworth is a doctoral student, motivational speaker, author, and artist. She is also a performance coach, teaching entrepreneurship, leadership, and how to improve your personal and professional life. She has helped aspiring professionals to boost their self-esteem and improve their productivity and performance as professionals.

Book preview

Every Single Step: How I Survived Poverty, and Bullying

and Fulfilled My Dreams!

ISBN# 9798795474489

Published by Stone Cold Publishing House

Fort Lauderdale, FL

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The author is not engaged in providing professional advice or services to the individual reader. Any ideas, suggestions, or recommendations contained in this book should not be used as a substitute for seeking advice from a counselor, therapist, or coach. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion of this book.

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Requests for information and to book the author should be addressed to:

Stone Cold Publishing House

4301 S. Flamingo Road, Suite 106 #311, Davie, FL 33330, [phone]

© Copyright 2021 by the Stone Cold Publishing House, LLC

Printed in the United States of America

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to take some time to thank a few people who have helped me along the way. Special thanks to everyone who came into my life and helped me write this book, accept my immense gratitude from the depths of my heart.

I am grateful to my siblings, especially my sister, who encouraged me to publish this book about my life during the last ten years. 

I am grateful for all the schoolmates who teased me, and I am appreciative of my teachers. Some were supportive and believed in me, but others did not believe in me and made my life difficult in many ways. Whether you were supportive or unsupportive, I offer you my gratitude. Every interaction we had helped me become the person that I am today.

I cannot say enough about the love and support of my children, Shamar and Noelle. You are my biggest cheerleaders. You have shown me through your actions that you believe in me and are proud of me. Thank you for the daily words of encouragement. You allow me to pursue my dreams and enjoy my successes. You are always willing to give me the time I need to write and paint. I appreciate how you try to keep our lives as stress-free as possible. No matter what you do, know that my love for you is everlasting.

Mom, the words love, and gratitude are insufficient to describe how I feel and what you deserve. Although circumstances did not allow you to complete your formal education, you knew enough to understand the importance of having a good education and did not allow us to be less than our best. You taught us the value of hard work and being disciplined and instilled in us the belief that even in times of suffering, hope is not far away. Because of you, I believe that if you keep holding on, things will get better.

Dad, my love for you is bigger than any space can contain. You are a quiet and unassuming man. However, behind that humility lies a man with few words, yet wisdom flows when he speaks. Thank you for the beautiful childhood memories. Thank you for showing me unconditional love. I adore you and mom and want you to know that the two of you are indeed my silent heroes.

I am grateful to the guy in Connecticut for lending us his car to get around even though it could not go into reverse (laughs). The friendships we developed in Connecticut were at times breathtaking. We cherish them and never regret meeting you.

Thanks go out to all my exes, those who did me wrong and those I truly respect, and for whom I have the highest regard. Unfortunately, our relationships did not work out, but I value our subsequent friendships. I pray that our bonds of friendship remain unbroken. Without each of you in my life, I would not have a story to tell.  Thank you.

A final appreciation to God Almighty, Supreme over all beings who gives me constant strength to pick myself up each time I slip, fall, and fail. Your grace helps me when I fall, to brush myself off and keep moving, dreaming, and living. Thank you for providing your blessing daily and for proving that you are indeed infinitely merciful and full of grace.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgments.............................................................. 5

Table of Contents............................................................... 9

Foreword......................................................................... 11

Introducing Charmaine Shettlesworth.................................... 15

Starting at the Beginning..................................................... 25

An Entrepreneur is Born..................................................... 45

Exam Day Is Here............................................................... 63

High School Here I Come.................................................... 87

New School, New Problems................................................ 109

There Are Unexpected Development .................................... 133

Regaining My Focus......................................................... 159

Starting Life as An Adult..................................................... 187

Embracing Motherhood.................................................... 209

Not Quite What I Expected................................................. 223

Transitions and Disappointments......................................... 239

Final Thoughts: Lessons Life Taught Me................................ 261

Foreword

FOREWORD

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As a relatively young high school teacher in the sugar-belt/small farming area of Jamaica a few miles from where the author grew up, it is an honor to write this foreword. Merely six years older than some of the students and had to interact with parents who were either semi/functional or just illiterate, the vast majority who only completed elementary education and either was employed by the cane factory or operators of their small farms.

In the late seventies, a social consciousness became a positive influence in Jamaica, and education was now emphasized along with the adult literacy program. Changes are complicated, and so with the pervasive social reality of most parents still embedded, attitude towards education and female was slow to meet the new reality. Girls, especially teenagers, were looked upon as sexual objects, taunting because of looks, disabilities, or economic background was the norm in schools and the communities,

Charmaine lived the experience daily growing up in this disadvantaged rural area of Jamaica. Much was not expected of them, as more than 40 % became teenage mothers and had to drop out of schools unable to recover, but only continue the cycle of a single mother with children from multiple relationships.

This book is a lesson in determination, parenting through difficulties, and the will to pursue dreams, journeying on the road of life. No matter what stage of life's journey presently, this sure is a prescription to follow. Imagine from rural fam-belt Jamaica to academic and professional success – for this former English teacher, and it is worth the read.

Patrick A Beckford OD (Order of Distinction, Jamaica National Award), November 2021

Introducing Charmaine Shettlesworth

Introducing Charmaine Shettlesworth

My name is Charmaine Shettlesworth, and I am 47-years-old, and the mother of two delightful children: Shamar, a ten-year-old son, and Noelle, an eight-year-old daughter. I was born in Spauldings, Jamaica, in Clarendon Parish. At 26, I left Jamaica and migrated to the Bahamas. I left the Bahamas three years later and landed on the shores of America at 29 and resided in West Palm Beach, FL.

I spent 11 years as a resident of West Palm Beach, but because of work and a desire to have a relationship with the father of my children, I moved to South Florida. After living several years in the Fort Lauderdale area, I moved briefly to Port St. Lucie, and then there was another brief move to Stamford, CT. However, I could not resist the beauty of South Florida, so I returned with my children to Fort Lauderdale. I will share the back story behind these moves later in the book.

I am a graduate student at Capella University, pursuing a doctorate in Healthcare Administration. Before my graduate studies, I obtained an associate degree in 1997 from West Indies College (now called Northern Caribbean University) in Jamaica. I also received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from South University in 2007 and a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2014. In addition to my academic credentials, I am a self-taught artist who turned her love for art into an income stream.

My idea of family includes vivid memories of my parents. They are the ones who fuel my belief in the existence of soulmates; I am still actively searching, and I know he is out there. I cannot thank them enough for all they have done for me. I never had a day when I doubted your presence and support. Yet, I realize that it is insufficient no matter how often I express my love. In this way, I am letting the world know that my parents and siblings mean everything to me. My love for you will last until I breathe my last breath.

What can I say about my siblings? I can’t think of enough words to express my love and appreciation for my brothers (and their wives) and my sister (and her husband). We went through good times and bad times, and we faced the highs and lows of life together. It is comforting to know that I can always count on you even when we argue or you are upset with me. I love every one of you with every beat of my heart and every fiber of my soul.

I thank the many relatives who have been there for me. Sometimes it was a word of encouragement, sometimes it was knowing that you are proud of me, and sometimes it was because you set a great example by being married and settled with your families. You have the life I imagined I would have. Even though the dream of marriage and family did not materialize the way I thought it would, every time I see you and hear about how well you are doing, it helps me keep hope alive.

By the time I reached age thirty-six, and my husband and knight in shining armor hadn’t shown up, it became clear that I needed to decide what I was going to do as it pertained to having a family; by this, I meant having children. I knew that the window for me to have children was rapidly closing. I already learned how time creeps ever so slowly when you are still a minor. However, once you reach age 18 and you blink, suddenly you look around, and you are in your thirties.

I decided that husband or not, it was time to have a child. I recognized that being a single parent for some people was socially unacceptable. That is even more true when you are a part of a Christian community. I realized, however, that I cannot make decisions based on what other people think. I need to make my decision, own my decision, and live with the consequences. I will share more about this lesson I learned later in the book.

I gave birth to my first child at age thirty-seven. I chose to name my son Shamar. I learned that it is an Arabic name that means someone ready for battle. When things get tough for him, I want him to remember his name and know that he was born ready for battle. He is my little warrior in training, and I love him more than life itself.

What can I say? I am a late starter. A few years later, my daughter made her entrance. I chose to name her Noelle. That name comes from the French and is defined as Christmas. When I think of Christmas, I think of joy and presents. She is my special present from heaven who brings me so much joy. I love my children and cannot imagine living life without them. They are the greatest gifts I ever received from God. I don’t regret my choice to have children when I did, and if I had to do it all over again, I would not change a thing.

I became a young entrepreneur in response to numerous personal experiences I encountered while a young girl in the parish of Clarendon and later when the family moved to Trelawney. I forgot who said it, but it is true that Necessity is the mother of invention. These same experiences provided me with the stories I used in writing this memoir.

You will discover some of my most personal secrets and painful experiences as you continue reading. I will also disclose some of the insecurities I held while growing up. In addition, I will share the life lessons I learned out of years mixed with struggle, bullying, disappointments, and accomplishments. As I do so, I hope that someone will be encouraged to hang in there and grab on to the idea of hope fulfilled. Sometimes, it is right around the corner; however, you have no idea it is on the way.

The book, Every Single Step is my first published work. It is an accurate account of my life journey. I began writing this book in 2013, after my daughter was born., in between diaper changes, term papers, laundry, and other mommy duties. It started as a journal, and every time something came to mind, or I remembered something which happened in the past, I would meticulously take note. Whether happy, sad, dramatic, or mundane, every memory went in the journal.

I made the tough decision to put my career on hold when I became a mother. Staying home all day long with the children is often cumbersome and draining but well worth it. At some point, you question your purpose as a mom. You constantly give of yourself, and if you are not careful, you can become empty. So, I took time for myself while the children slept, reoriented my path, and revamped my purpose. I never lost my hope and did not stop dreaming through it all. God had a purpose for me; I just needed to find it. I continued believing in myself and never gave room for hopelessness. I followed my dreams despite how long it might take.

I begin my story at the age of four and will take you on a journey through my life struggles, dreams, failures, successes, and disappointment. Sometimes the journey involves moments that will make you smile. Other times it might make you sad or angry. Nevertheless, the road from my place of birth to this period in the 21st century was long and sometimes arduous. Nevertheless, these situations and circumstances shaped me and made me who I am today.

As I share the story of my life with you, I hope that as you read this book, you may have found yourself on the same route and that you can pick yourself up each time you fall on this scenic journey called life. Our experiences may not happen in the same way, but the lessons and principles that life provides apply to all lives.

After reading my memoir, I would love to hear from you. Send me an email at [e-mail] and let me know your thoughts. Tell me what you found helpful, and let me know if anything feels missing from the book. If you’d like us to notify you about future book offerings and events, and if you would like to receive our weekly