All my life people gravitated towards me in their times of need. I can remember from the tender age of thirteen, checking my phone, and having countless messages from people seeking my advice. It was then that I knew that I had been given a special gift from God. I have used this gift in so many walks of life, and I have grown to be extremely passionate about helping people.
From a young age, many people would tell me that I was strong, and I always made things look easy. See, this may be the case from an outsider looking in. However, everyone has trials and tribulations, and I often found myself taking the advice that I have given to others. Like so many others growing up, middle school was some of the toughest years in my life. It was then that I started to really feel the effects of my parent’s alcoholism; I often wondered why I was put in this situation, and what God wanted me to learn from it. I turned to trust some of the prominent adult figures in my life. I formed close relationships with my school’s guidance counselor, and the teachers who saw my struggles.
From living my life surrounded by addiction, I have learned that it is okay to not be okay. This is something I will preach until I cannot preach anymore. I have learned various coping skills, and ultimately, I have given everything to God. I have learned that I can not parent my parents, but I can help them, have faith in them, love them, and at the same time not love their addiction.
Now, I am speaking to you as a twenty-one year old, first generation college graduate, sister, girlfriend, daughter, mentor, and all in all someone that many people have confided in for the last decade. I have always known that I wanted to work with children. I spent most of my college years trying to fit the pieces together. I entered the workforce as a junior in high school in an attempt to support myself financially. I gave up countless extracurricular activities, hobbies, and time with friends to better myself