Inspiring Woman, Brooklyn Smith, LVN

April 16, 2021

Inspiring Woman, Brooklyn Smith, LVN

I could literally write an entire book on this STUNNING BOSS!!! Like...literally...and not a little one...I'm talking the Guinness World Records for largest book (A la recherche du temps perdu (I looked it up)) type of book! Being cousins that lived down the street from one another made our childhood sooooo much fun!! They say your siblings are built in best friends, but so are cousins!! We've definitely had our ups and downs growing up, but the relationship that we have now is one that I will cherish for forever! I can remember growing up we used to call one another and say, "meet me halfway" when we wanted to go to each others houses, but didn't want to walk alone. At her baby shower for her son Calvin, I wrote that I would always "meet her halfway" anytime she needed me, and that still stands true to this day...but what is even more true, is that she has always met me halfway, even without having to be asked. There has never been a time where she hasn't been there for me, ESPECIALLY during this transitional period that I am in now. No matter what she has going on, she always picks up her phone or calls me when I need her to. She has never been too busy, and I could never begin to tell her how much that has meant to me. I honestly don't know what life would have been like without having her in my corner growing up, and I DEFINITELY don't know what life would be like without her now. Calling her an inspiration to me does her NO justice at all!!! I'm super thankful that she agreed to be featured!!

I introduce you to the STUNNING, Brooklyn Smith, LVN

*Generally speaking, what was your childhood like?

My childhood was not typical for what Disney or Nickelodeon depicted that is for sure. I was raised in a household with only my mother and grandmother. My mother was a single mother who did the best she could with what was thrown her way. I grew up seeing her work multiple jobs to make sure she provided me what I needed and whatever random things I wanted. My grandmother was the backbone of our household. She was the parental figure that took the place of my biological father. She made sure I was home before the street- lights came on, no boys were allowed further then our front porch, and she made damn sure I did not whistle in the house, (because ladies don’t do that)!

*What have you learned over your lifetime that you’d like to share with the younger generation?

To the younger generation, specifically my children, I would like to tell you that it is ok to make mistakes. You are human. Becoming a mother at the age of twenty, I heard it all. “You have ruined your life!” “You will never get an education.” And my favorite, “You have made a huge MISTAKE”! When I look at all three of our children every morning when I wake up and at night before I close my eyes, I think to myself… “These kids were by far the best “MISTAKES” of my life and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

*What has the journey/process been like for you to get to where you are today?

The journey for me began when I became a mother. I felt like I had a purpose. Then I became a wife, so I knew I had to get it together for our family. Honestly, I am a firm believer that I would have never reached where I am or where I am trying to go without them.

*What sacrifices have you had to endure to get to where you are today?

Sacrifices that I have made to get to where I am today would include, putting off college until my kids were in school, leaving my full time job as a cosmetologist to work at one of the local daycares so that I nor my husband would have to ask anyone to watch our children while we worked, realizing that friends come and go depending on what moves you are making at that time, and last but not least, no partying unless it was a kids birthday! So, when you see me and my husband in these streets having a good time… MIND YO’ BUSINESS!

*What do you do for a living?

I am currently a Licensed Vocational Nurse. I have been one now for three years, but I am currently enrolled in the LVN-RN transition program at TVCC. By this time next year please address me as Brooklyn Smith, RN, because I am going to earn those credentials. Just kidding, you can still call me Brook lol.

*You are a complete BOSS…as a woman, why do you feel like creating this path for yourself was/is necessary?

Creating this path for myself is important to me, because I have eyes on me at all times. And no I am not referring to any social media platforms, I mean the ones that wake me up because their stomach hurts, or call me and ask if it’s a jeans day while I’m trying to work.

*What was it like where you grew up?

Good ol’ Forney. I lived and currently still live on the Eastside in the same home I grew up in. I swore I was related to everyone that lived around here. If you were black. We were cousins and our parents wouldn’t tell us anything different. I can still here Ms. Riller and Ms. Charlotte yelling for the cowboys a few houses down, Ms. Mattie B swatting my butt if I didn’t speak when walking up the bleachers at a Friday night football game, everyone meeting in Rebekah and Chris’s backyard to play basketball on a dirt court that we thought was Reunion Arena, throwing parties at the paper plant pool even though it stunk like hell (and still does), and walking around the corner to Big Mamas to grab a plate after church.

*Describe your most important friendship(s).

My most important friendship would have to be the one I have with Amanda. We have been through almost everything together. This is the same woman I fought in chemistry class (still don’t know why you brought your tail in there lol) and the same one I cried with at graduation, and the birth of our children. We share a bond like no other. We have raised our children together now for fourteen years. I will never be able to express in words how much she and her daughter Liberty mean to me and my family….but if you are reading this Amanda just know in my eyes you’re A BOSS. Keep killing it!

*What did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was growing up, I wanted to be a lawyer, this all changed though when Laguna Beach aired on MTV… I wanted to be Kristin when she got her BMW in season 2. Don’t judge me.

*Were there any moments you recall as true breakthroughs in any area of your life?

A true breakthrough for me was when my husband sat down with me and helped me fill out my very first college application. No one had taken the time to show me how to do this before. He had already been through the process when we were in our teens so he knew how to break it all down to me. When I received my acceptance letter I knew it was only up from there.

*Have your dreams and goals changed through your life?

My dreams were to never be a parent. I couldn’t stand the little critters. I got fired from a babysitting job because I kept falling asleep and the kids were watching me instead of me watching them. I wanted to become a lawyer and work alongside my uncle in Dallas and drive a Dodge Viper bahahahah. Everything changed once I had my first and second child and became a cosmetologist. My mom was a cosmetologist; so I figured why not? During that time, I had also taken on the role of being my grandmothers’ caregiver. My husband and I took on the role of cooking her meals, cleaning the house, helping with baths, finger sticks four times a day, and even injecting insulin. Then came the day that we lost her. Some time had passed, and I received a call from my friend Rachel informing me that she was starting nursing school. I saw her go through hell and back. Once she had finished and was well off in her career, she convinced me to go. I decided to do it for my family and of course, Granny! The rest is history.

*How do you define a “good life” or a “successful life?”

A successful life to me is defined by what suits you and makes you happy. For me, my life is successful because of who I am surrounded by. I keep women in my corner whose success is not defined by the money they make or how many degrees they have, but how hard they work everyday to continue their journey through this life and make it a happy one. That is true success to me.

*Do you think a person needs to first overcome serious setbacks or challenges to be truly successful?

I don’t believe anyone that lives on this Earth has not experienced a setback in their lifetime. We all have had to overcome some sort of obstacle to get where we are today. To you Rebekah, I would like to say that no matter what you may be experiencing at this time whether good or bad, just know that it is only an obstacle that you must complete to get where you are going. Do not define your accomplishments or where you should be in life, based off what myself or any other woman shares on this blog. You are a SUCCESS to all of us and not a SETBACK! Think about it girl, you are featuring us on YOUR BLOG! YOU THE REAL BOSS!

*Who was the most influential person to you as a child?

The most influential person to me as a child would have to be my mom. She not only showed how to do the wrong things lol, but the good things as well. No matter what she was faced with she always came out smiling. She has been a shoulder to cry on, and a friend to laugh with. She has always said to me to be better than she was. She has no idea though that what I saw from her was the BEST! Love you NAE NAE!

*What is your greatest hope?

My hope would be that our children look at us as their parents and know that we were always there and will continue to be there. I want them to experience the world in a way that makes them happy and never have to wonder what if? Whatever success means to them I hope they achieve it! Calvin, Kendall and Calli, you kids are my GREATEST HOPE!