Deceased Veteran's Wife Finds Her Purpose
“I Am African & I Can” is a women’s empowerment blog highlighting stories of black women’s struggles and successes.
By Hadiatou Wann | 01/31/20
After Mecca Nelson’s husband was killed in Iraq while serving, it seemed like it was the end of the world. But it was the beginning of finding her purpose.
Mecca was born and raised in Brooklyn. She played basketball, video games. Her brothers would never let her play while they played. But when she played solo, she always passed a threshold they could not reach.
She was raised by her mother and her grandparents parents helped raise her. Her grandmother taught her how to cook and be a lady, and her grandfather taught her martial arts and how to walk correctly in heels.
In school she was always the quiet kid but paid attention to everything and pulled off A’s. Since she was quiet, it sent off signals to bullies to pick on her.
She and her late husband met when they were teenagers. They built their foundation on friendship, and got engaged after a few years. Doctors told Mecca that there was a likelihood that she’d never have children. But her husband stood by her and made it clear that they were going to pray and rely on God for a miracle.
Very shortly, Mecca became pregnant with a girl—their miracle baby. In 2003, her husband decided to go full military. The three of them packed up and moved to Germany. Once in Germany, Mecca earned a certificate that made it possible for her to open and run a daycare while her husband went on duty. She serviced children whose parent(s) were in the military. Her daycare was so successful that it became accredited nationwide. It was fulfilling for her because she was making money while building relationships.
While managing a successful daycare she also had to maintain emotional balance and have high tolerance because soldiers’ wives were told to always stand by their husbands due to the nature of their job.
In 2006, Mecca’s life shifted. Right after she came from signing a contract which secured business with the military chaplain, the doorbell rang. It was the chaplain. They had received the news shortly after Mecca left their office. Her husband had been killed in Iraq.
At first, she thought it was a prank because her husband used to get creative whenever he wanted to surprise her with a gift. But when Mecca realized that it wasn’t a joke, she immediately fell and hit her head.
Her husband’s death was unexpected. It shook her to the core and made her question: “God, why would you do this to me?” She remembers her 3-year-old daughter telling her “everything would be okay.”
The chaplain comforted her by telling her that everything happens for a reason, and she would find her purpose. At the time she couldn’t wrap her mind around “purpose” because her life revolved around her husband. They were inseparable from the day they met. Now she was left with a child to raise on her own and finances to manage. For some time she was in denial and thought that he would come back.
In 2007, Mecca and her daughter moved back to America. She returned to college. Her husband’s death took a toll on her psyche and academics. Once there was a recruitment event being held at Mecca’s school, when she saw the men in military uniforms, she yelled at them out of frustration. She went from being on the Dean’s list to being a D student. The Dean was very supportive and understood her struggle. He never kicked her out of school. Instead he asked her to take a semester off to get herself together. She eventually got herself together and earned her Bachelor’s in business management.
In 2014, Mecca got injured. Her job at the time didn’t take care of her when got hurt. It took her an injury to start listening to God’s signs about starting her own business. She went to workshops and that is how her brainchild The YOMA Method was created.
THE YOMA METHOD incorporates yoga and Martial Arts to help people who have experienced or are experiencing PTSD, rape, domestic violence, grief, anxiety, depression, self-esteem/self-worth, stress. At the moment these classes are held in studio. Mecca plans on showing more of her entrepreneurial side to the world, so she will be organizing outdoor events and attract bigger crowds. She is also working on securing a building to provide space where veterans and their families can find healing.
Juanita Sabrina Murray-Coates and Mecca have been friends since teenagers. She says, “Mecca is a friend that helps you change your self perception. She helps her friends and family to see themselves in the best possible life. She created the YOMA Method to honor her deceased husband but also for the people in her inner circle to build inner health and well being to thrive. I truly love and honor our friendship, whether near or far. And make no mistakes she's a quick thinker and a true definition of a goal digger.“
Death can come at anytime and can destabilize anyone for a moment. But death can also serve as a deep awakening. Because Mecca’s husband passed when she least expected it, it forced her to stand on her own. She not only had to figure out a way to provide for her child, but also had she never experienced trauma, she wouldn’t have the level of empathy required to help others heal from their trauma.
Welcome to Mecca’s World
Mecca’s City of Wholeness Presents The YOMA Method is a Certified Minority Woman Owned Business Enterprise and Veteran Owned Business. MCOW has been recognized for outstanding work across Brooklyn communities by Eric Adams, Brooklyn Borough President, as well as the Assembly Woman for District 56, Tremaine Wright; Superintendent Barbara Freeman, and a partnership certification for work with the Department of Education, District 13, and Tunnels 2 Towers Ambassador. The YOMA METHOD has also been mentioned in the Daily Beast and the New York Post, Shoot The Five Podcast various News Channels and has recently been acknowledged for outstanding work with military families by NYC Governor Cuomo.
More of Mecca’s accomplishments:
*Licensed Massage Therapist certified in Prenatal Massage and Advance Sports & Orthopedic Massage
*Providing services for Veterans, active duty soldiers, FDNY, NYPD, and their families
*Certified in Xin Yi Martial Arts Yang Style Taijiuan
*Certified in Vinyasa Yoga
“How will you be able to receive what you’re supposed to receive if you’re not vulnerable?”
“If you don’t take a step back, how will you know how to check yourself?”
Connect with Mecca:
Facebook: Mecca Nelson
Instagram: @the_yoma_method
Email: movement101@yomamethod.com
Website: https://www.yomamethod.com
Read other success stories here: www.iamafricanandican.info/blog
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