“If it hadn’t been for RETA, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” are the first words out of Gloria’s mouth.
That may come as a surprise. Gloria exudes confidence and ambition, and from the moment you meet her, it’s clear she has a strong sense of direction. So why would this beautiful, self-assured woman need RETA’s services?
Aching loneliness.
For new moms, no one truly prepares them for the profound isolation that can exist even amid baby's cries, coos, and giggles. Gloria's heart overflowed with love for her husband and her adorable daughters, yet it also carried a deep ache of loneliness.
Gloria felt stuck, and that’s when Katlyn entered her story.
Seeing RETA’s website, Katlyn was curious about volunteering there, and initially, mentorship wasn’t even on her radar. After all, she was only in her late twenties. What could she possibly offer? However, feeling God’s prompting, she tentatively signed the mentorship form.
Before her first meeting with Gloria, Katlyn turned to AI with two questions: “What do mentors do?” and “How do I prepare for our first meeting?” Today, they laugh about those early uncertainties, but both women admit they had reservations.
Those uncertainties were quickly dispelled. Only a few months apart, the two women formed an instant bond. Katlyn learned that Gloria wanted to go back to college to become an RN. She immediately put Gloria in contact with Ivy Tech and helped her start the process. With two classes now under her belt, Gloria knows she can next step it all the way to her goal.
While their relationship certainly falls under the category of mentorship, both women say it encompasses so much more. In fact, this past February, Gloria invited Katlyn to a Galentine’s party because that is what true friends do.
What neither woman expected was the reciprocity of their relationship. As Gloria puts it, “We can see each other’s strengths, but we also see each other’s weaknesses.” If one of them gets lazy and loses motivation, the other holds up the mirror of truth. In essence, they help each other get unstuck.
With tears in her eyes, Gloria alluded to a dark period in her life five years ago, one when life spiraled out of control. Turning to Katlyn, she questioned, “What if I had you five years ago?” Although that question can never be answered, Gloria does know this: Sometimes the person who helps you move forward isn’t the one with all the answers. It’s the one who simply shows up and walks beside you.