10 years ago: 8.26.95. I was 15. I was lost inside myself trying to find out who I was supposed to be. I was watching my father die from ALS. I felt abandoned and alone. I was a sophmore in high school but didn’t really belong. I had grown up way before my time. I was experimenting with pot and alcohol and started sneaking out to just escape from my reality. I learned my mother was mentally ill and was going through a nervous break down. I realized I had no one in the world but myself and how cold and hurtful that made me feel.

5 years ago: 8.26.00. I was 20. I had just found out that I was expecting my first child. I was thrown out of my mothers house for getting pregnant. I was living in my car until I met Janet (my surro mom) and John (her son and my boyfriend even though he was not the father of my baby). I got to experience the hurt and betrayl of getting pregnant and the man who helped me get in that position disappeared. I was going to college full time (thank goodness for the hope scholarship) and training for Delta Airlines at night ( my career for 4years). I was becoming an adult and learning a lot of responsibility.

1 year ago: 8.26.04. I was 24. I seperated from a dead end relationship. I was once again alone but with two children in Florida instead of Georgia. I started working for Walt Disney World and fell in love. I met my current husband there and have learned what it is to have stability and endless love. Most importantly what it is to be really loved by someone who appreciates me and worships me. I can actually say I am happy and am able to give my children everything that they need or want. I realized how much I really went through and that crying does not mean that I am weak. Opening up does not mean that I am weak. Actually taking a chance and living life does not mean that I am weak.

Yesterday: 8.25.05. I am 25. I have a career in a bank. I actually make enough money an hour to start planning to own my own home. I am planning a wedding even though we got offically married in May. Child Support Enforcment has finally located Daddy Dead Beat and I may actually see him be held responsible for his children. I am happier than I have ever been.