Jade Marcotte I Women's History Month

Today, for the 13th day of the Women's History Month project, I would like to introduce this beautiful and brave woman

Meet Jade Marcotte, 38, a mother, a wife, a friend, a daughter, a hardworking trustworthy kind person.

My name is JADE Marcotte I am 38 years old and live here in Old Orchard Beach with my husband Randy Marcotte, two sons, Ian 15 and Jaxson 11 and our dog Deoji, 3. I have a one younger brother, Thomas Blake III. Our parents, Wendy Blake-Burden and Thomas Blake JR. both grew up here as will. They both had 5 siblings each so my family was very big. Growing up I remember nothing but family love laughter food and fun.

My maternal grandparents, George and Faith Hogan owned a sandwhich shop here in town, Hogans Variety. I started working there the summer I turned 13. I quickly realized that I loved working there. I loved the people, the atmosphere, the work itself, but I really loved that I was working along side my mother and grandparents. I worked there every summer through middle and high school and a few years after. When My grandmother passed away and we sold the store I jumped from similar job to job trying to figure out what I was going to do.

I had my first Son, Ian, in July of 2006. At this time I was hanging around the wrong people and got mixed up with drugs. I quickly became addicted to the drug OxyContin. My whole life went downhill fast. I lied, cheated, stole, and hurt the people closest to me. I lost my family, my job, my house, and custody of my son. It was a really scary desperate place to be. But years of going through the never ending cycle of addiction I knew I needed to start rethinking my choices and my life. I went to rehab. I went to drug counseling, therapy and meetings. Things did not get better over night, and there were some really tough days/nights. But as long as I do not do drugs TODAY, I could have a better life, and I needed it.

I ran into Randy at a meeting, my now husband, and we instantly reconnected from grade school. fell in love, got married and had my second son, Jaxson. I wouldn’t recommend moving that quickly, but I knew he was the one for me, and when you know, they say you just know! Randy has been a constant support for me whenever I need him. He’s a great father and I’m happy we found each other.

Although I had been in recovery for a little while now, it was at this point in my life that I not only needed my recovery, but I wanted my recovery. Those are two very different things. Change didn’t happen over night. Trust wasn’t given back to me right away. My family still questioned my every move and motive. It took a lot of work, but I now WANTED it, and that made all the difference in the world. I relapsed a bunch of times. I questioned myself a bunch of times. I yelled and cried and argued, with myself mostly, a bunch of times. But I always picked myself back up and started from the beginning. I wanted to do this not only for me, but for my family as well. I got custody of my oldest son back, I had a place to live and a job to go to, my family trusted me again and I trusted myself.

I have been clean for over 10 years. I am a mother, a wife, a friend, a daughter, a hardworking trustworthy kind person. I don’t even think of my life on drugs anymore.

I am great full to be able to go to a “home”, And cook and yell at my husband and kids. I’m great full to be able to pick them up from school and be emotional available if they need to me be. I’m great full to hug and walk my dog every single day. Nothing in the world makes me happier and puts a bigger smile on my face than those things. I have always kept my grandfather's words in the back of my mind. He always used to say to me:

"YOU ONLY GET OUT OF IT WHAT YOU PUT IN TO IT"

Through my growth in recovery I have learned what is important to me. What I will give my time and effort to. What makes me happy and only letting the positive in my life. Took over 25 years but I know live by the quote:

“BE WHO YOU ARE AND SAY WHAT YOU FEEL, BECAUSE THOSE WHO MIND DONT MATTER, AND THISE OF MATTER DONT MIND”

-Dr. Seuss

*****

Thank you, Jade, for sharing your journey with us all! Very inspiring!!

#whm #womenshistorymonth #womanwmpowerment #womanpower #womansupportingwomen #mainephotographer

3 Comments

Mar 14, 2022, 9:09:16 PM

Nina Haralambidis - Jade, that took amazing courage! Congratulations on it all and cherish your beautiful life and family. So many can learn from what you shared. Your Mom and I grew up together and I'm sure she is so proud of you. Great picture Wendy!

Mar 13, 2022, 11:11:59 PM

Jim E. Stewart - Jade, your an amazing lady. I'm so very proud to call you my friend. Throughout the trials and tribulations that you have battled to overcome you have always maintained that beautiful smile and made the right choices. Your family and friends all love and respect you. Your the best my friend. May life's blessing be yours. You've earned them all. Jim

Mar 13, 2022, 7:16:37 PM

Catherine Andrews - Thank you for sharing your journey. No one truly understands addiction and that’s it’s a disease that no one wants to grow up to be an addict. You are an inspiration Jade. So continue doing what you’re doing and just be you

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