Personal Narrative: Growing Up

Growing up, I learned everything from my parents. From the small things like how to brush my teeth and tie my shoes, to bigger things such as how to manage money, how to cook. The way I was raised shaped me to be who I am today and I feel honored to share my story. After all, we all have our own story, our own struggles, our own journey. These are the pieces that shape us and teach us.
My parents divorced when I was about 4 years old. I was too young to understand what was happening, but I knew my life was changing when I started to not see my mother anymore. My dad was young, yet he did everything in his power to care for us. It didn't matter if we ate the same meal for dinner everyday, or had one pair of shoes all school year. His efforts didn't go unnoticed and he made sure we had everything we needed. I was very fortunate to grow up with 3 sisters. We were incredibly

close when we were little, and still are. When we were younger we were all real close with our dad. We looked up to him as if he were our hero. He taught us to respect others, love openly, work hard, communicate, and laugh often. Maybe that why it hurt so bad when he began to treat me badly.
As I grew up into my teenage years, I started to learn to make my own decisions.

I was experiencing a little bit of freedom and began to truly find myself. I made mistakes, of course like most people, but my dad started to make me feel as if mistakes weren’t allowed to be made. We constantly butt heads during those years, our relationship began to deteriorate and things between us were always tense. This is about the time when I decided to go stay with my mom. She had came back into our lives sometime around the time I started kindergarten and ever since has been a wonderful mother to me and my sisters. The love and support she gives me is like no other. She has been one of the greatest influences in my life and has taught me so many things. Our relationship hasn't always been perfect though, as you could imagine not all kids get along with their parents all the time. But the obstacles we face together and the determination she has shown me has caused me to truly be happy with myself now. I always look to her when making important decisions, I stay true to myself, and spread my love with

others.
My life so far has taught me 3 things. If you do not go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you do not ask, the answer will always be no. If you do not step forward, you will always be in the same place. I grew up in between houses, with 2 completely different parents. I learned different things from each, and the knowledge and experience I have received has helped me form the person I am today and the person I plan to be. There are many things in my life that I do not understand, and I probably never will. But I was born different than anyone else. I have my own story. And that's what makes me, me.