Filled with despair, alone, dicky, depressed. These are some of the words that suitably described how I was feeling a few weeks ago.

I have lived a life that is more interesting than Oprah Winfrey's. I have experienced life in a way that most 40-year-olds have never even dreamt about or dreaded. I am a 24-year-old single mother and this is a chapter of my life.

I was underemployed. I wasn't able to meet my monthly demands based on my earnings.

I was sitting on a stool next to the counter of the store in which I was employed, shivering from the frigid air that was being blasted from the air conditioning unit. There I was, vigorously rubbing my palms together, hoping that friction would provide me with some sort of comfort while I was compelled to experience Alaska in Jamaica. On the counter next to me was a copy of two daily morning newspapers. There were no customers in the store, so I picked up The Gleaner and casually browsed its pages.

Tony Williamson's column caught my attention. It was a motivational piece entitled, 'Unleashing the power in you'. My immediate reaction was to look if this Tony Williamson had an email address, and he did!

My libertine landlord had the pleasure of giving me an ultimatum a few days earlier. I had been experiencing financial difficulties and I had refused to do anything licentious or degrading to improve my situation. I was not about to exchange my body for the rent I owed. I felt trapped, helpless, hopeless, dispirited.

I was at the end of my rope. I would wake up in the mornings and think to myself, "I'm going to have to face another day, uggh!" The thing that kept delaying me from taking my own life were two innocent faces; two innocent lives; two people who didn't ask that they be brought into this world and whose father was nowhere around.

I have always been the one to listen to other people's problems and advise them accordingly, but whenever I needed a friend or a listening ear, I was like a monocotyledon. I was that single seed, alone.

I got up from the stool on which I was sitting. I went to the computer and logged into my email. I sent an email to tonywilliamson_57@yahoo.com, vaguely describing my disconsolate situation and my state of mind. I was expecting to get only a few words of encouragement from him or whoever answers his mail to make me feel better. These kind words would have probably helped me through the day, until I found a solution to my problem or join the scores of street people.

The response I got was not quite what I had expected. There was no, "Keep the faith, God has a plan for you. Pray, God answers prayers." The reply I got said, "Mr. Williamson would like you to contact him at and the respective numbers for cell and office were included. I called a few days later and he set up an appointment to see him.

Earlier, I had dropped off my resume at a Corporate Area firm, where I was disposed of by a lady who didn't even have the courtesy to reply to my "Good morning." However, she dismissively told me to put my resume on a table covered with magazines, after I told her the nature of my visit. I left feeling dejected.

After leaving the company, I went to Mr. Williamson's office. I know that my not-so-shabby attire and my appearance made him and his secretary wonder if I was the same person who had sent such a lugubrious email. The fact that I was showing my 32 teeth as if I was strutting down the catwalk of a Colgate fashion show, modelling their latest innovation might have made them even more suspicious.

His secretary showed me to his office and I introduced myself, smiling. He introduced himself and we shook hands, offering me a seat. He told me a little about himself. He then asked for his coffee and enquired about my life. I told him about my childhood, the challenges I experienced while growing up, and the challenges that I was faced with as an adult.

After hearing my story, he offered his assistance, which was in the form of financial advice. He showed me how I could liquidate my debts using the resources that I had at my disposal. He also prayed with me and gave me a few encouraging words. I must say that today, thanks to Mr. Williamson, I am debt free. He also provided a job for me to do something, which I am passionate about. However, while I am most grateful for the job and the financial advice he gave, I must say his most invaluable contribution is affording me the opportunity to be independent; to dream; to plan and to hope!

Today, I have begun to live my dreams and my dignity is still intact. A few weeks ago, I wrote an email to a total stranger not thinking for a minute that God had an angel whom he had instructed to act on His behalf. If someone had told me that my email would have been the key to unlock my dreams, I would have smiled and said, "Yeah right."

Today, I am dauntless, exuberant and ebullient. I have a deep desire that will determine my destiny. Thank you Mr. Tony Williamson!

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