Taking things for granted....

I hate when people take things for granted. My life hasn't been the easiest but I have definitely made it through. When I was only two years old, my father was shot and killed, but I never grew up without a father figure in my life. My mother met my step father when I was 3 or 4 years old.  By 10 years old, my mother and step father divorced. Things for my mother started going downhill. My mother lost the job she was working at for over 14years and was out of work for about 2 years. After finalizing the divorce, it was ordered that my mother, sister, and I move so that my step father could have "his" house. We moved into my grandmother's house where her other 3 children and come of my cousins lived. The house was big... 5 bedrooms and mother-in-law wing (guest house).  We stayed there until my mother found a better job and we moved out to Hickory Hill. She worked for the City of Memphis and for the next 5 years, she would be transferred 3 times trying to keep her position as a Receptionist/Administrative Assistant.  Our house was gorgeous. Everyone loved to come over. All my cousins and all my new friends. From 8th grade until my senior things were lovely......And then, my mother lost her job. I witnessed coming home to no lights. Boiling water on the stove to take hot baths. Lighting candles to have light in the house at night. I was miserable. I was embarrassed. Our cars got repossessed.  Two cars to be exact.  During the summer of the last two years of high school, I worked for Yo! Memphis, a youth program, and I had the opportunity to watch children in summer camps at the local community centers. One day, my mother came to my job teary eyed and I knew it. We had to move out of our house. We moved in with an uncle who only let us stay for a month and put us out. We then went to live with another uncle. We were at peace there because he welcomed us. BUT, it was 3 of us in one bedroom. NO PRIVACY!!!! My uncle used drugs and there were people running in and out all the time. I couldn't wait to go to college. My classmates enjoyed high school, my senior year was depressing.  I couldn't work because I was a cheerleader and an honor student but I wasn't having as much fun as other people were. I was quiet. I was to myself.

Over the next course of years, I witnessed my mother really struggling. I went to college and my mother still struggled with finding a job. My mother did the best she could do. It's hard going from having everything you ever desired to being limited to things as little as food. I can say I ate crackers and cheese for lunch and dinner. I can say I laid next to my mom at night crying along with her because we didn't know where we were going or what to do. My mother has 11 brothers and sisters and I have never met any people as selfish as they are to one another. I promised myself that my sister and I would never treat each other like they do. No one tried to lend a hand to help her....and their reason was because "they are the little Miss Rich Girls"....."they think they better than us"......."they don't need no help, they make all that money".....

My step father is now trying to step back up in my life.  After he married, his wife GLADLY informed him that I am not his child and it is not his responsibility to take care of me. She even went so far as to throw my college graduation invitation in the trash so he wouldn't know about it. I miss having a father. I never knew how much I missed him until these last couple of years. On my birthday, his wife called and she sang Happy Birthday. Out of the 14 years that they have been married, she has NEVER called to say happy birthday. I could barely get her to speak to me when he wasn't around.  And that hurts me till this day...........

All in all, I have been through more than a child should and so has my sister. I have learned to appreciate what I have. Especially after seeing these same issues with each of my clients. I work with people who go through the same things I had to witness as a child and I encourage them.  There is light on the other side of the tunnel.  You just have to make a decision of whether or not you want to make it there and do what every it is that you have to do to get there. I have decided that material things are just that materials. With faith and the love of my friends and close family, I know I'm going to make it. I am going to get everything I deserve and more. I know things aren't always going to come easy, but I know prayer works and I can just call on HIS name and everything will be alright.

HOPE you enjoyed my story!!!!!