This I believe
Everything in life happens for a reason. People leave you so you can learn how to let go. Things go wrong so you appreciate them when they are right. You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things come together.
Since before I was born, people were making decisions for me. They controlled my life, and took away things they thought I didn’t deserve. For example, when my mom was pregnant with me, my dad’s lover decided I didn’t deserve to grow up with my dad. She ruined their marriage, and took my dad with her. My mom was left alone to raise my older brother and I. It took me a years to realize how difficult it was for her to be a single mother. She worked three different jobs during the week. When I turned five years old, we moved to Mexico. It was there when I realized how much my dad did not care about us. But most important, I realized that thanks to his lover, I was destined to live my life, with a part of me missing.
At the age of twelve, me and my brother moved back to the US with my grandmother. She always kept in touch with us, and even though she knew my dad made mistakes, she always insisted us to talk to my dad again. When I found out I had to little sisters, I decided to give my dad a second chance. I would go on the weekends to his house and stay over with my sister. Until one day, my dad’s wife decided that I didn’t deserve to have him in my life along with my sisters. Once again, she took a now bigger part of my life away from me and I did nothing about it. The only thing I could do was keep in mind what my mother always used to say: It might be stormy now, but it can’t rain forever…
I know that I let that woman control my life and choose what I should and shouldn’t have in it. She knew me when I was fragile and innocent, which for her meant weak and stupid. The only thing I can say to her now is: You don’t know who I am now, so I will tell you.
I am a mature, young woman. I am strong, dedicated, and intelligent. I no longer let anyone make decisions for me. I will pursue my dreams and no one will ever stop me. No matter what you do or say, I will keep going foward. No one will ever take advantage of me again. I am seventeen years old and no, I have never done drugs like the rest of my cousins. I have managed to stay clean without the support of my father. Because you took him away.
I’ve made mistakes in my life, let people take advantage of me and I’ve expected way less than what I deserve. But I’ve learned from my bad choices. And even though there are things I can never get back and people who will never be sorry, I know next time I won’t settle for anything less than I deserve.
I believe no one can tell me I am less than what I know I am.
This I believe.
