Something terrible has happened… it hurts to think about. Things won’t be the same for me, that’s for sure.
Lets flash back…
When I was six months old, I was diagnosed with spinal meningitis. I spent three months in the hospital where I barely escaped death several times. The doctors said I would probably suffer from slight mental retardation due to the brain damage my illness may have caused me, but I didn’t. I got through it.
Growing up wasn’t really out of the ordinary for me. I took life for granted and b!tched about my problems as many people do. My biggest problem though was that I didn’t really have any problems. Then as if God was giving me a reason to be negative, my cousin (and good friend) got sick and died of meningitis. This really tore me up, and opened my eyes to how lucky I am to be alive. That same month, my sister and only remaining friend, moved away to college. I had just started middle school, and was one of the only non-gangster white kids there. I was pretty small, and was picked on heavily. It seemed as if misfortune was making up for my previous lack of anxiety all at once. It was a tough year for me, but I got through it.
My freshman year in high school, my parents engraving business crashed. We were forced to sell our house along with most of our belongings to avoid bankruptcy. My parents couldn’t afford to pay for my sister to go to college, and she was forced to work 8 hour night shifts at Denny’s while attending classes during the day. I had to get a job busing tables 30 hours a week (paid in cash) to help support the family. I had never gone through so much stress in my life. I didn’t think I could, but I got through it.
* Flash to present *
I’m a senior in high school. My mom finished school and got her teaching credential, my dad found a great job in electrical sales, and I’m working comfortable hours tossing pizzas and making money for myself. I’m living life to its fullest, because life is short, and I’m just happy to be here. I couldn’t be happier… but wait. Something awful has happened. I get a call on a Thursday night from a not-so-enthusiastic classmate telling me that one of my best friends has just committed suicide. As everything starts to sink in, I lower the phone and begin to cry. Things went from great to horrible in a matter of seconds. That’s how life is. All of us will face hardships and obstacles during our time on earth. I don’t know why things happen or what will happen to me next, but I do know this:
I’ll get through it.
Lets flash back…
When I was six months old, I was diagnosed with spinal meningitis. I spent three months in the hospital where I barely escaped death several times. The doctors said I would probably suffer from slight mental retardation due to the brain damage my illness may have caused me, but I didn’t. I got through it.
Growing up wasn’t really out of the ordinary for me. I took life for granted and b!tched about my problems as many people do. My biggest problem though was that I didn’t really have any problems. Then as if God was giving me a reason to be negative, my cousin (and good friend) got sick and died of meningitis. This really tore me up, and opened my eyes to how lucky I am to be alive. That same month, my sister and only remaining friend, moved away to college. I had just started middle school, and was one of the only non-gangster white kids there. I was pretty small, and was picked on heavily. It seemed as if misfortune was making up for my previous lack of anxiety all at once. It was a tough year for me, but I got through it.
My freshman year in high school, my parents engraving business crashed. We were forced to sell our house along with most of our belongings to avoid bankruptcy. My parents couldn’t afford to pay for my sister to go to college, and she was forced to work 8 hour night shifts at Denny’s while attending classes during the day. I had to get a job busing tables 30 hours a week (paid in cash) to help support the family. I had never gone through so much stress in my life. I didn’t think I could, but I got through it.
* Flash to present *
I’m a senior in high school. My mom finished school and got her teaching credential, my dad found a great job in electrical sales, and I’m working comfortable hours tossing pizzas and making money for myself. I’m living life to its fullest, because life is short, and I’m just happy to be here. I couldn’t be happier… but wait. Something awful has happened. I get a call on a Thursday night from a not-so-enthusiastic classmate telling me that one of my best friends has just committed suicide. As everything starts to sink in, I lower the phone and begin to cry. Things went from great to horrible in a matter of seconds. That’s how life is. All of us will face hardships and obstacles during our time on earth. I don’t know why things happen or what will happen to me next, but I do know this:
I’ll get through it.
You can overcome anything in life. Embrace the good times, because you never know what's in store for you.