The house was quiet, too quiet. I walked from empty room to empty room. My life as a mother had just ended. My children had just packed up their clothes, toys and awards— the end of their life in my home.

Their dad had convinced them to move to his house—a lovely house with a swimming pool, a view of and membership in a prestigious golf course, and even a cute puppy; the promise of a better life was theirs.

There was no provision in our divorce for such an improbability. I had signed the divorce papers which my former husband, their father, gave me. Promising a very generous amount of child custody each month, the agreement seemed fair. I didn’t have any funds of my own to find an attorney to review and possibly rebut the agreement; therefore, I signed.

It was at the moment, the very moment when the door slammed and I realized all my hopes and dreams eluded me. I faced the lowest point of my life. Stripped of my life as a wife and mother, I thought there was no reason to live. I plopped down on the white chair in the family room and cried.

Somehow, somewhere, I found strength. I decided I had something no one else on the planet had. I had three children, and no matter whether I was with them 24/7 or not, I was their mother. I decided every moment I had with the children was going to be valuable, powerful, and important. I also decided I could make something of my life, be an example to them of a survivor.

Two months shy of completing my chiropractic degree, despite the fact that I had no work prospect, I decided I was going to make it. Les Brown, the motivational speaker, promises, if you’re truly hungry, you will succeed because you have greatness in you. I decided to open a chiropractic practice, serve patients exquisitely, and make enough money to be an example to my children.

Although 30% of businesses fail in the first year, I was determined to succeed.  I tried to borrow money to start my practice—try getting a loan as a female with a heavily mortgaged home, a Datsun Maxima, and a $10,000 student loan—not a promising prospect.

But I believed in myself was all I had! I sold the family home which netted $50,000, barely enough for a deposit for rent and equipment and three months of operating expenses. Within six grueling months, sleeping in the office to be able to go to networking meetings morning, noon, and night, the practice was on solid ground.

My practice soared. Sometimes, we have to change our dreams. But it is in the commitment to the dream that makes us a success and makes life worth living.

Yes, my relationship with my now adult children has flourished because I embraced another dream and didn’t allow myself to be a victim.