From Girl To Woman In The Making.

The nine year old me would shocked to read the story I'm about to write about who she grew up to be. Hopefully by the time she's done, she'd somewhat be proud.

For nine years of my life, I lived like a child, played,got in trouble enough times,got easily destructed like every other child. Halfway those years I did realize that i wasn't as privileged as my peers. But that didn't make me feel different because I had my mom and her family; Yes we couldn't live together cause she worked far but that's what a mother who is the father too, does.I won't say that at that age I understood that,but I didn't mind because I knew every time she'd visit. she'd come with a new set of shoes/clothes for me and older cousins. We all know that's close to everything for a child. When I turned eight,mum got another kid,a girl, I was happy when my aunt told me about it. I was even happier whenmy cousins and I weresent over to go see her,I told all my friends about her. She was real life doll with he big pretty eyes. Later that year's Christmas,mum decided i wasn't going back with my aunt. I wouldstayandleave with her, my baby sister and her dad.

That was one of my best years,I was part of a peaceful family equation, new school that i didn't mind and i was a big sister. I made new friends. While the year was coming to anend one of my friend's motherasked my mum if I could join them on a trip to a different country for Christmas. My excitement made her give in but little did I know i should have been spending every second with her. When I returned from the trip,after new years,we celebrated my birthday. Schools opened,a month later on the 24th of Feb 2006, I was randomly picked up by my mum's friend and employee. I was in the middle of my science paper when the head teacher walked in to cut it short for me. He informed me that he was going to drive ushome. Now believe me at that point, things were not adding up to me, how is it even possible that i was being allowed to leave before time?We reached home and i was given the saddest news any ten year would receive. "Your mum was part of a motor-accident" my head teacher told me,then told me to be strong cause all will be well.I went tomy room unsure of what the out come of the accident was, was she died or still alive? I goton my knees and prayed and cried uncontrollably but it was too late. Death had happened, he had come and snatched my mother away for good. A few days later we put her to rest and i realized nothing could bring her back.

Months went by but the pain didn't, if anything it got worse i wondered why i didn't go with her. Just when i thought i was healing,my step dad decided to take my little sister with him one random night. Then the growing business mum left behind that was being ran by my aunt collapsed. Before we knew it,we had nothingcouldn't even afford megoing to school. So i was eventually sent to live with my uncle and his family, his oldest had just turned two and the other was months old. It wasn't a drastic change of environment but I had changed. I wasn't interactive or expressive. I cried myself to sleep and during day I hide my sorrow behind a smile,laughter or funny stories. I didn't immediately get enrolled into school,why? I don't know but during that time I grew two hobbies that fit right with my social isolationnature. I grew fond of reading and and expressing myself through writing down my feelings in a diary. The next year i joined highschool and made a few new friends, then bit by bit I was getting better,my laughter and smile were more of genuinethana disguise.

But that didn't alsolast so long, during my break off school, I noticed something different, the lady that looked after the kids had left, aunt had complete left work and we were leaving on low budget. I had experienced this before so. i knew right away it was a financial crisis. With the lady gone and as the oldest femalein the house, I was automatically in charge of all the chores in the house. I had learned to the vital things with my mom and aunt but handling all the chores and babysitting was overwhelming for mythirteen year old self. The only time I could think or have time for me was in bed at night; Sometimes I'd be too fatigued to even sleep.They say if it doesn't break then it should build you, it didn't break me but it certainly built me. We were in and out of financial difficulty throughout a few years, my education always suffered most when things went bad. Over the years i realized that i wasn't first or second on their list and got used to it.

I was finally sent to college in a different country, it was a new start,different environment, new friends. As much as I'd miss them after living with them for so long and the kids were my joy,my siblings; But I had to start building a path that will leadme to myfuture. Now as much as I had a good start and was excited, it wasn't paradise, I've faced blows and kicks that the real world sets your way as you transition from a girl to a young woman. Life taught me one thing, that there's purpose in each and very person in the world and you don't stop until you discover yours. As I continue to find my purpose, I'm blessed to do it with a small set of people called friends but in all truth are family.

So dear nine year old me, Thank you for never leaving,you got me through dark times. I'm sorry I didn't buy a car at nineteen like you planned. I might have also dropped plans of being a doctor along the way but I think I did something better. I took the bull by horn.I was the only girl in a course meant for boys in college. and I challenged them. So don't you worry I'll make you proud.