Story & Lesson Highlights with Carmen Davenport

We recently had the chance to connect with Carmen Davenport and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Carmen, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I am Carmen Davenport. As of four years ago I started watching my granddaughter. I wake up at 5 every morning. I walk 2.5 miles at a park across the street. I come home and water my garden. I wait for my daughter to drop off my granddaughters. I was watching both of them, Mae and Drixie but my oldest granddaughter started Kindergarten this week so now I only watch my 18-month-old granddaughter all day until 4. I then crash on the couch and then fix dinner. Watch tv then start it all over again

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I did retail merchandising for 8 years. I also was an Uber driver for 8 years. I catered for a friend of mine for 10 years on the weekends. I started Search and Rescue with a cadaver dog over 9 years ago. I still do this also. I have two dogs. Hazel (11) retired and Daisy May (7). It’s an all-volunteer with the sheriff’s office. We train twice a month so we are ready when we get the call. I started a reselling business about 4 years ago. I was something I could do with granddaughter. I am small time but it’s fun. You go to thrift stores and find a cool thing that’s worth something and a cheap price then list it. It takes a lot of time researching but its great. I started gardening during covid and I have stuck with it. I also stop by and visit with my mom quite often. My dad died a couple of years ago. She still doing great on her own at almost 87.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I know this might sound weird but when I was in elementary school I was teased because of the braces and cat eyeglasses. Also, into Junior High. When I go into High School, I got my braces off and started wearing a little makeup. I started getting my hair styled. Coming into my own. Then the boys that teased me started to take notice and I rebuffed them. I started dating the all-star football player but kept my elementary friends that were always there for me. I always felt like the wallflower girl and never changed my personality for anyone. Once I got into college the same football ex-boyfriend told me I didn’t need to wear all the makeup to look pretty. I told him” I don’t wear makeup for him or other guys. I wear it for me”

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
A couple of things. My motto is Act without Expectation. Do it because you want to and not expect anything is return. It is not always easy. But I try. It is hard. Secondly forgiveness. My dad had numerous affairs on my mom. My mom stayed with him, but it took a lot of years for me to forgive him. I didn’t respect him. But he was a good dad. I forgave him because it didn’t do any good to hold onto that resentment.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My faith. It has pulled me through a lot of pretty things. My youngest daughter was misdiagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer at 22. I had people praying all over the states. By the time she had her third biopsy the cancer was gone. None of the doctors could explain it. I know it was miracle. There have been many of these miracles in my life. So, faith is a big one

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I would hope people think I am a good friend, wife, mother and grandmother, I try really hard to be there for people. Not always successful. I watch my grandchildren for free so that helps my daughter so they can not worry about daycare. I am retired. I am thinking about holding Nicu babies coming up, but I am waiting for daughter’s wedding to be over in October 2025.

Image Credits
Lynea Chavez, Bill Davenport 111, Mae and Drixie