Don’t Quit: A Heartfelt Reminder from This Crazy Busy Mama

There are seasons in life where the weight feels unbearable—where the juggling act of motherhood, work, grief, and everyday responsibilities leaves you wondering how much more you can take. That’s exactly where I’ve found myself lately.

Since losing my husband, Quintin, I’ve stepped into the role of solo parent. It’s a role I never wanted, never dreamed I’d have, but one I carry every day. Some days I handle it with strength. Other days, the heaviness nearly crushes me.

Now, with my son Kale heading off to college, the weight feels even heavier. I’m so proud of him, but sending him out into the world while trying to keep it together for my other kids is gut-wrenching. Helping my oldest daughter Ella navigate her decision of why she chose not to go to college and trusting the good Lord with Each one of my children is facing their own unique struggles—loss, change, identity, new responsibilities—and as their mama, I carry it all. I want to fix everything, shield them from pain, and hold them close. But I can’t.

And honestly? There are days I just want to tap out. Days I want to crawl under the covers and not face another decision, another bill, another challenge. Days where “quitting” feels like the easier option.

But then, right when I needed it most, a memory of Quintin and the poem “Don’t Quit” found me again.

A Memory That Still Speaks

Back in the fall of 2022, Quintin and I did a Facebook Live where we recited the poem “Don’t Quit.” At the time, it felt like just another encouraging message we wanted to share with our community. Life was busy, chaotic, and overwhelming—but what else is new for a Crazy Busy Mama, right?

I can still picture us sitting there, reading those lines together. WOW we were such a team! I miss him, I miss who I used to be…I miss US! His voice steady and strong, mine chiming in beside him. Neither of us had any idea how significant that moment would become.

Fast forward to today, and that memory plays in my heart like a recording on repeat. The late night scrolling of a mama in despair led me to this incredible memory 8 years ago on facebook. It was no coincidence this was a QWink a bit of a nudge of encouragement from heaven itself. He was such a gift! The words echo differently now—like Quintin is still cheering me on, even though he’s no longer here to physically do it:

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

And oh, how I have needed that reminder.

The sweetest picture of us. Those baby faces…those smiles.

The Weight of Solo Parenting

Solo parenting is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It’s not just the logistics of getting kids to school, practices, appointments, and activities—it’s the emotional weight of knowing you’re the only one. There’s no partner to tag-team with, no one to split the hard conversations, no one to crawl into bed with at night and say, “We’ll figure this out together.”

Instead, it’s just me. Making the decisions. Carrying the burdens. Fighting back tears in the bathroom so my kids don’t see me unravel. Oh how I miss my Q!

And as each of my kids faces their own struggles, I feel stretched thin—like I’m supposed to be everyone’s anchor, even when I feel like I’m drifting myself. Watching my son pack for college has been one of the hardest mama moments yet. My heart bursts with pride for him, but it also aches with the reality that home won’t feel the same without him.

It feels like loss on top of loss. And yet, even in that heaviness, Quintin’s voice through this poem reminded me: Don’t quit.

Why This Poem Still Matters

The beauty of “Don’t Quit” is that it acknowledges reality. Life is hard. The road is uphill. The struggles are real. But woven into those words is a hope that says: keep going, because the story isn’t over. Even though I feel like my story ended with Quintin died, God still has me here for a purpose and He is Still Writing My Story!

And maybe that’s exactly what I needed to hear. That quitting isn’t an option—not for me, not for my kids, not for the life Quintin and I dreamed of together.

So when the tears come, when the weight of solo parenting feels impossible, when the room is getting packed up and college boxes remind me that another chapter is changing too soon, I breathe in those words: Don’t quit.

The sweet image of this paper that Quintin wrote no less than 28 years ago… still encouraging me today 16 months after his sudden passing.

Failing Our Way Forward

This whole season has also stirred my heart about something else—my podcast, Failing Our Way Forward.

Quintin and I started it together because we wanted to show people that failure isn’t the end of the story—it’s often the very thing that propels us forward. Life is messy, but there’s beauty in the stumble if we keep moving.

After losing him, I put it on pause. Honestly, it was just too painful to continue without him. Recording alone felt impossible. But now, this reminder of “Don’t Quit” has me wondering if it’s time to bring it back.

Not to erase what was, but to continue the heartbeat behind it. To remind others that even when life doesn’t look the way we planned, there’s still purpose in the pain.

So I want to ask you—should I start the podcast up again on my own? Would you tune in if I relaunched Failing Our Way Forward?

I’d love to hear your thoughts, because this journey isn’t just about me. It’s about us—this community of mamas and friends who are in the trenches together.

A Word of Encouragement

If you’re in a season where quitting feels easier than continuing, I want you to know—you’re not alone. I see you. I feel your exhaustion, your tears, your silent prayers.

And I want to remind you of the same thing Quintin reminded me: Don’t quit.

Rest if you must. Cry if you need to. Tap out for a moment if it helps you breathe. But don’t quit. Don’t let the heaviness convince you that you’re not capable. You are stronger than you realize

Final Thoughts

Grief, solo parenting, kids leaving the nest, kids facing struggles of their own—it’s enough to break the strongest mama. And there are days I truly don’t know how I’ll make it through.

But then I remember Quintin’s voice, that Facebook Live in 2022, and the words of a poem that still feels like it was written just for me.

Don’t quit.

So here’s my promise to myself, my kids, and to you—I won’t quit. Even when the road is steep. Even when the house feels empty. Even when the weight of solo parenting feels unbearable.

And I hope you won’t quit either. Because our stories aren’t finished yet.

With love and encouragement,

Lori (Crazy Busy Mama) 💗✝️

Watch our 2022 Facebook Live of “Don’t Quit” here.

✨ Question for you: Should I bring back the Failing Our Way Forward podcast on my own? Drop me a comment—I’d love to hear your heart.

DON'T QUIT

When things go wrong as they sometimes will;

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill;

When the funds are low, and the debts are high;

And you want to smile, but have to sigh;

When care is pressing you down a bit –

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Success is failure turned inside out;

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;

And you can never tell how close you are;

It may be near when it seems afar.

So, stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit –

It’s when things go wrong that you mustn’t quit.

— Author Unknown

For those of you who would like to listen in to our facebook live back in 2022, here it is and you can hear Quintin recite this poem himself.

The above “Don't Quit” poem was the one that Quintin and I recited the image version of the one above is here. I thought I would also include this version as well.

Don’t Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill.

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.

When care is pressing you down a bit —

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns.

And many a person turns about

When they might have won had they stuck it out.

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow —

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the struggler has given up when he

Might have captured the victor’s cup;

And he learned too late when the night came down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out —

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit;

It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.

— Author Unknown

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