The Power of Resilience: Tanya Parker's Inspiring Journey

My “Unwanted” Journey to Trusted Path

The road to Trusted Path has not been a straight and guided one; however, every speed bump along the way has paved a life I could only dream of. I grew up as the underdog, always the last one to make the team but ALWAYS earning a starting position. It just wasn’t an option in my mind that these opportunities weren’t possible for me, otherwise why was I there.

I guess you could say I came out of the womb fighting for a chance in this world. At 3 months premature weighing only 3lbs 4oz, I was just as tangible as a wishing star. My parents were told to “let go” and “don’t get attached” but that wasn’t an option for them either. 2 months later they took me home.

Fast forward, 11 years later, I was rushed back into that same hospital. 2 major operations later, I was dropping weight fast. Nurses thought I was a spoiled brat, my Doctor had no bedside manner, and yet again my parents were told “she’s not getting better”. I don’t remember ever being worried. I noticed the fear in my friends’ eyes and the pain in my parents’ but 1 month later I walked out of that hospital and went home.

I was told to take a break from sports but I was back in 2 months and slowly regained my strength with every throw and every swing. Every base was a new milestone. Which had me diving into the next chapter of leaving home for a softball scholarship to Oklahoma. This is where is I learned the true meaning of community. How the whole town would shut down for highschool football games or the local church would make Wednesday night dinners for everyone in town. I fell in love with the lifestyle, the hospitality, the slow pace and the people. This included the utility back on the College football team. When we graduated we decided on forever…

But Forever came short one year later. Just shy of our 5th year anniversary and one week away from looking at wedding venues, someone crossed the center line while texting and driving, and our lives were changed instantaneously. He was gone.

I moved in with his parents and began what I call my “unwanted journey” - this is not where I thought I would be at 23. He was the one thing I was sure of; however, the universe had a different plan for me. And just like that preemie, I was a fragile fighter taking each day one breathe at a time but I was going to do it my own way. No one was going to tell me how to pave my own path.

Some call it strength, some call it stubborn and some may say determined. Either way, I struggled when people told me how I should heal and what I should be doing to make me feel better. And many thought because I hadn’t found someone else to be with that I hadn’t moved on. The truth was I never moved on, I moved forward as he made me who I am today. I embody so many of the traits he had from his patience, his acceptance of himself and others to the laughter that filled rooms. This allowed me to align with the best version of me that could attract someone to cross my path while I was marching along my own and find love again.

And I can honestly say, I LOVE MY LIFE.

How did I get here? It wasn’t one thing. It’s a journey and it is ongoing. Become an explorer of truth. Take leaps into uncomfortability, it’s only then do you get to witness the power you have within you to Trust Your Path.