Molly Stewart is a familiar face you can find all over the CMU campus. Like many of the students that flood the sidewalks she is a hard working student. At the end of her day on campus, she heads home to cuddle up with her four-year-old son, Jordan. As a single mom, part-time student and CMU employee, Stewart has become a master at balancing a busy schedule.

In 2005, Stewart found out that she was having pre-mature ventricular contractions and needed heart surgery. Her heart was skipping every other beat and losing oxygen. By the time that she found a doctor to do the surgery, she was pregnant with Jordan and had to wait. Last spring, Stewart collapsed in class. She went back to the doctor, who scheduled her for surgery. The procedure was a success but left her with a whopping hospital bill. As a Grand Junciton native, Stewart is surrounded by family and friends who support her.

“I could not do it without the support of my family,” Stewart said.

Stewart was back on her feet in no time and able to take her son hiking, swimming, fishing and to Fruita’s dinosaur museum.

“His smile and energy when I get home makes the long day better,” Stewart said. “I love to watch him grow and our interaction time is very important.”

She focuses on bettering his view of education and filling their time with activities. Jordan likes to read and sing and on the weekends they spend time taking advantage of the Grand Junction community. He has a happiness for life, loves to learn and is very helpful around the house. Every week they have made it a tradition to bake a cake.

“If he wants pancakes for dinner, we have pancakes for dinner. We just try to have fun.” Stewart said.

This semester Stewart continues to work at the CMU cafeteria and Jordan goes to an in-home daycare four days-a-week. He has had the same babysitter in Grand Junction for two years and gets to spend time with his grandma who is also a CMU employee.

“I want him to know that he can do whatever he sets his mind to and nothing comes without hard work,” Stewart said. “He is my everything.”

cheykoop@mavs.coloradomesa.edu