I’ve wanted my own children since I was 10 years old.  I would pray to God asking Him for a nice husband, a beautiful home and three children, 2 boys and a girl.  It’s been said if you want to make God laugh, just tell Him your plans for your life.  I’m fully convinced that He has a sense of humor.  I did not get biological children, but I did get a nice husband and a beautiful home.  I guess He figured 2 out of 3 would be enough for me. During our third year of marriage, I became pregnant, but suffered a devastating miscarriage that left me angry and depressed.  I felt like God and my body both failed me.  The next 20 years brought medical issues such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, blocked fallopian tubes, 4 laparoscopies, fibroid tumors and eventually a hysterectomy. God made it very clear that I was not having my own children.  Since I based my entire womanhood on the ability to bear children, I didn’t feel like a real woman anymore.  I even contemplated suicide several times, BUT GOD!   

Never could I have imagined that I would be working for over 31 years as an early childhood educator, a mentor to teen girls, an in-home childcare provider, a comedian and an author.  Over the years, God has blessed me with countless children.  He’s given me the gift of laughter and thus my Find The Funny platform was born. I found comedy to be very therapeutic, not just for me, but for my audience as well.  Laughter really is good medicine for the soul (Proverbs 17:22).

Teaching preschool and kindergarten was an excellent way for me to nurture and love on so many children.  God sent me just what I needed. I became a living testimony for the scripture that says “He makes the barren woman to be a joyful mother of children” (Psalm 113:9).  Now, I’m finding myself encouraging other women who have suffered pregnancy and infant loss.  My encouragement comes through my comedy and public speaking. God opened the door for me to become an author with the collaboration book In The Trenches: Stories From The Heart Of Early Childhood Professionals.  This gave me the confidence to write my children’s book Brown Like Me. 

Now, my life is full of children (godchildren, nieces/nephews, mentees, spiritual daughters and former students). I count it all an honor and a privilege to care for children in my home and write books that enhance their self-esteem, to encourage and uplift hurting women and to leave a trail of laughs wherever I go. Welcome to Yolanda’s Creative Smiles!