Today, for the "Women's History Month" Project, we are celebrating this fantastic woman
Meet Sheila Ouellette, 51, wife, mom of 2 boys, former preschool teacher...
" I have a strong personality and I say what I think." Penelope Cruz
I was born in Hartford, Connecticut on November 1st 1971 where my parents met . My Dad was Canadian and working in Construction and my Mom was American working for a photocopy company. When I was 6 months old we moved to Canada where we lived until I graduated college . My Mom was busy at home raising 4 kids while my Dad worked nights for Canadian railroad company . There were some struggles financially but I never wanted for anything. I was thought at a young age that in life you fight for your family and the ones you love and never give up!! I was also not afraid to work hard, worked a lot of different jobs but I was always interested in working with kids. I did a lot of babysitting and eventually I went to college in Canada became certified as a preschool teacher.
In the spring of 1991 I met the guy who would become my everything, Mark and I fell in love and had a long distance relationship for 4 years while Mark was in college in Boston and I worked as a nanny and went to college. The saying "Distance makes the heart grow fonder " was true for us. It was hard but we visited often and made it work.. In July 1995 we got engaged and I moved in Boston where we lived together and made lots if great memories. On December 1996 we got married in Canada then continued living in Boston where we both worked. Mark as an architect and I as nanny for a wonderful family for a few years until I got hired as a toddler and infant teacher.
September 3, 1999 Adam Lewis was born . I always knew I wanted to be a mom but no one prepared me for that feeling when you first meet the miracle that you created...Adam was so beautiful and so happy. After 6 months of living the crazy fast paced life of Boston we decided to move back to maine were we rented a condo in old orchard . We fell in love with the place and we eventually bought it and made it our own and still live there today. Mark and I knew that we had to make many sacrifices , it was really hard to get used to one income but being home with my child was worth it. I also did some after school babysitting for extra income. I joined many playgroups in town where Adam and I made great friendships and continue to be close to.. Life was great and busy and of course there were bumps in the road but everyone has them right!
After 3 devastating miscarriages and years of heartbreak we were finally pregnant with our second child... Cameron Patrick was born March 2004..earlier in our pregnancy we saw on one of our many ultrasounds some abnormalities with our little guy but he continued growing and progressing so we did our best to stay positive. What started as a "normal" day, my water broke and we headed to the hospital to finally meet our baby. Everything was going great until after Cam was born and we were told that he had a cleft soft palate and many other things that the Doctors wouldn't know until much later on.... I don't remember much after that!! Next thing I remember is waking up in ICU with a breathing tube and so swollen that I couldn't open my eyes.. I was later told that after 7 hrs in surgery, full body blood transfusion, platelets and lots of fluid that they had to remove my uterus ... Devastated is an understatement for what I felt, but I would not let that defeat me I had a 4 year old and newborn that needed their Mom...2 days later I finally got to meet my new baby, I thought he was the most beautiful baby...when I looked into his eyes I knew we had a fighter on our hands...
We both stayed in the hospital for a few weeks then started the hardest most rewarding journey... I will forever be grateful and thankful to family, friends, Doctors and specialists who were and continue to be there for us... When Cam was almost 2 we finally got a diagnosis of a mild case of Campomelic dysplasia.. like I said earlier he is a fighter and he continues to amaze me every day..
Life continued to be busy with the boys and all their activities. When Cam started kindergarten I started working part time at little Horizons preschool in Old orchard then later on started working full time, I loved every minute of doing what I loved but again in 2017 life had other plans and i decided to leave work and stay home . Mark had kidney cancer and had to have it removed, no treatment needed thank Goodness.. we also had other family health issues that I needed to be home for.
In the summer of 2018, we found out that my Mom had cancer it was not treatable it had spread to her organs... She was given a few months to live. We all went to visit her numerous times then I went to be with her for her last weeks of her life.. Those were the hardest but also beautiful and peaceful time that I was gifted to spend with her.. She passed away peacefully with her loved ones surrounding her.
If I ever doubted that you can die of a broken heart well I believe it now , my poor Dad was devastated after my Mom's passing and he left us to be with her 4 years later... To say I am sad is an understatement...my heart has a big whole in it but in a way I am a peace knowing that they are reunited.. Thank goodness my parents instilled some amazing values with my siblings and I and we have each other... So you know sometimes they say you need to remember to take care of yourself ir you will be in trouble!!! Well trouble found me in early 2020.. I hadn't been feeling well for a while and putting off going to the Doctor ( like my Mom did!!). Finally ended up in the ER with a blood infection and was almost septic. After almost a year of numerous tests, antibiotics through pic lines, more hospital stays, visiting nurses and my own personal nurse( my hubby).. I finally got over the infection that almost took my life ..I know how lucky I am to have cheated death twice and I will continue to take care of myself so I can be here for a long time, I still have a lot of living to do with Mark and watching my boys grow into young men and start their own lives. Life is what you make it, I am not the type to sit around and feel sorry for myself for all that went wrong and the could and should haves.... I get up everyday (some days are definitely harder) and think of all the treasures I have in my life and I know for a fact how blessed I am.
As far as my plans for a career I have a few things in mind but I am not sure what I want to do when I grow up yet!!! Lol
Taking it one day at a time.
Here a few more of Sheila's favorite quotes:
"A strong woman looks a challenge dead in the eye and gives it a wink!" Gina Carey
*****
There are only two times in life.
Now and to late.
*****
Thank you, Sheila, for sharing your story and empowering others!
#womenshistorymonth #womansupportingwomen #womanpower #mainephotographer
6 Comments
Mar 28, 2023, 4:16:18 PM
Nernita - That is tje beauriful Sheila I know and was lucky enough to have as q baby sitter for my two children. Love you beautiful .
Mar 19, 2023, 6:05:35 PM
Sheila Flathers - So blessed to call you my friend
Mar 19, 2023, 5:34:18 PM
Carrie Watters - I am in awe of you. You are amazing and strong. Thank you for sharing.
Mar 19, 2023, 1:25:43 AM
Mary Schroeder - This is awesome Sheila, thanks for sharing ♡
Mar 18, 2023, 3:18:46 PM
Nancy Desjardins - Wowwww amazing..❤️
Mar 16, 2023, 8:54:46 AM
Sylvie Plourde - Thanks for sharing, hugs🤗