A Message of Unconditional Love

Shelia King, AA 

Mental Health & Recovery Associate

​A lady I met told me something wise; she stated, “Stop looking for love in all the wrong places. Look to your higher power and your children for that love, understanding, and inspiration.” When other people would ask me about my mental health or question me about it, I would automatically shut down. 

Mentally it made me feel like it was a curse or sin to even talk about it. All I ever wanted was unconditional love.

Today, I know that unconditional love is affection without any limitations and love without conditions. I learned children are equipped and prepared to do the job; children will give you unconditional love. I was a person who always looked for approval in other places or from people who were incapable of giving it.

I grew up never feeling, hearing, or understanding what unconditional love was. I have learned that love comes from my children and my higher power. Unconditionally, children will give you a different kind of love, hugs, support, and kisses. That is the kind of love a person cannot find in money or material things.

As a mother, I must also invest in that love. Children will be there for you through good days and difficult times. My daughters and I have a special bond. They have been my biggest supporters; they have been there for me many times. There were times when I could not be there for my girls emotionally, mentally or, physically. They have always been there for me. I have learned to return that unconditional love by kissing, holding them, and letting them know that they are loved.
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I understand unconditional love is both emotional and spiritual. When I look in the faces of my girls, they say to me “You can’t make enough mistakes to push me away; you can’t hurt me enough to make me walk away; or you can’t do enough wrong for me to not love you. I will still love you; I will never stop loving you mom because you have always given us unconditional love.” I look at my girls and say to myself “Thank you”. I say to myself in a small voice, “That’s unconditional love”. Because of my girls, I can face the world and I can be myself and that is more than enough.

Shelia King , AA

Sheila King holds an Associate of Art in Liberal Studies. She has served women experiencing homelessness in Washington, DC for years. She has experience in crisis de-escalation, conflict resolution, and group facilitation. She is passionate about mental health and substance use issues. She also celebrates 29 years of sobriety. As a Black woman with mental health concerns, she wants to support all black women on their mental health journey. 
​IG: @Mother_of_my_girls