Dolores Catania: Sometimes I Feel Like I'm Living in a Zoo

I hope you all enjoyed watching this week’s episode as much as I did! You all got a glimpse of what it’s like for me to be Gabby’s Mom — one of two of my greatest achievements in life. (The other, of course, is my son, Frankie.)

Thanks to my Gabby, sometimes I feel like I’m living in a zoo — not just because this house can get a little crazy at times — like an actual zoo. Gabby is currently studying Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Animal Biosciences at the University of Delaware with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies (proud Mama over here can you tell?). She’s always been an animal lover and has brought home quite a few interesting visitors over the years: chinchillas, a 3-legged guinea pig, numerous dogs, ferrets, birds, and gerbils to name a few. 

I think it’s safe to say that not all moms would let their kids bathe a guinea pig in their living room, but for me, it’s so important that I support Gabby in any way that I can. I couldn’t be more proud of her for many reasons, but especially for pursuing a career doing something she LOVES to do. I’m so glad that she’s taking important steps toward creating a life filled with passion and independence.

As I mentioned in my last blog, throughout my whole life, I've always put everyone else’s needs before mine. In my younger years, I put my all into my marriage and my family. I relied on my ex-husband not just for money, but for having a life. I grew up watching the relationships of those around me and wanted what they had; it was all I knew. I watched my father provide for my mother and my family, and my mother cared for all of us with all that she had. When my husband left me pregnant with a little one at my side, everything blew up in my face. I didn’t know if I could go on, but I had to be strong for my kids; I had no choice. 

If you’re a parent, I’m sure you feel me on this one: We all want better for our kids. Because of everything I went through, I didn’t want my daughter to be reliant on anyone. I love my life, and I am grateful for everything I have, but I can’t help but wish I could turn back time and receive a better education. All of the struggles I’ve gone through in my life are because I didn’t have an adequate education to fall back on. It was so important to me that Gabby learn from my mistakes — I want more than anything for her to be able to be self-sufficient and not rely on anyone else for money...or her own happiness. 

I hope that you can all learn from my experiences and struggles — that's why I'm laying it all out there for you to watch and grow with me. Ladies, don’t ever put your happiness in anyone else’s hands but your own. What I’m learning now is that only YOU can complete yourself — everything else in life is just icing on the cake. 

xx

Dolores