For Nyx, Motherhood Is the Silver Lining

Friends and family know Nyx by another name: "Mama Bear."

"I'm fiercely protective of my children," she said. "I'm proud to be called their mom and I just couldn't be prouder of them."

Nyx is a single mother to two daughters, 11-year-old Eisley and 13-year-old Lydia. Becoming a mom was something she had always dreamed about, even while building a career as a firefighter.

But shortly after Lydia was born, a routine surgery changed the course of Nyx's life. Complications from the procedure led to years of health challenges and eventually brought her firefighting career to an end.

Despite everything that has changed, though, Nyx says motherhood has been her silver lining.

Hear Nyx share her story in her own words:

Through it all, Nyx's focus has remained the same: making sure her daughters have what they need to grow and thrive.

That's where a nearby food pantry comes in.

"I'm on disability, but it doesn't go very far," she said. "So I visit a food pantry nearby to make sure that we're able to get the fresh fruits and vegetables so the kids can have what they need to grow and continue to thrive in life."

Nyx visits Beyond Blessed Food Pantry, which receives some of its food from Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, a member of Feeding America's network.

But the pantry offers more than just groceries to Nyx. It provides peace of mind.

"They don't judge you," she said. "They provide so much fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh milk. They make you feel welcome."

For children like Lydia and Eisley, access to nutritious food supports their overall well-being. During the summer months, when school meals are no longer available, many families face additional challenges putting enough healthy food on the table. Food pantries and summer meal programs help ensure children continue to have access to the nutritious meals they need to grow and thrive.

Knowing her daughters have access to fresh fruits, vegetables and other nutritious foods means Nyx has one less thing to worry about.

And while navigating her health journey one day at a time, she is also grateful for the life she has built with her daughters.

"I feel very rewarded and very grateful that I have the children that I have and that I get to experience what I have with them," she said. "I am glad to see them growing up to be such wonderful human beings and amazing people, and I'm glad to be their mom."

For "Mama Bear," motherhood continues to be that silver lining.