Lemon-Aid Scholarship

How kindness from someone I met by chance has changed my life, my boyfriend's mother has reached out an olive branch and offered me more than I could have even dared to dream. she saw the potential in me as a human being not as someone who is dating her son. She has offered for me to take a step back from my home life allowing me to stay there as I need even when my boyfriend isn't there. this kindness extends past if we break up. Part of her offer is if i need to go over anytime i can text and it'll happen. She offered this to allow me to have the childhood I happened to not have of just how much I cared about others. this completely changed my life and how is because in my childhood and home life, I always took the burden. during my younger childhood as long as I can remember I stopped being a kid and became another parent more worried about them and never gave myself any of the care or child-like play of childhood I was always more worried about everyone else and due to recent medical complications with my mother leaving her completely dependent and wheelchairbound, I've become an in-home caretaker for my parents I've become so engrossed in my parent's life I forgot to live my own life I never allowed myself to join clubs that have club fees because I was worried about our finances, I never wanted to ask for toys or foods that only I would want because I was too worried about them I was like this until she came along and showed me absolute kindness making me feel like my wants are important and that its okay for me to still enjoy the things other kids did when they were younger I cried when I was shown this kindness because while I knew I missed out I never thought I could still have those same things without remorse, I prior to her kindess felt bad and like I was in the wrong for doing anything that wasnt work or taking care of others. just talking to her and taking her offer a few times I've felt a great impact on my life and my drive to live as me, no longer living to just take care of my parents, I've felt more like I could leave when college comes. I still care about my parents and take care of them as much as I can but now I am able to set boundaries over when I'm overwhelmed and I need time away I also trust that they can make it without me catering to their every need.

When I was 16 I became pregnant and thought my life was over. I was no longer able to attend my high school because they didn’t have a teen mom program. So I was forced to attend an independent program instead. Being there was hard I was out of my comfort zone. Every Monday I would walk to the old church school and wait for the teacher to open her door. This classroom was filled with “troubled” students. The gangsters, mental health students and a few other pregnant teens. I was not able to understand why I was here. Being a teen mom was not a crime. But I guess for them it was. My teacher was a nice kind lady. I never told her how I really felt about attending that school there. As time went on I continued to do my work and mind my own business. That spring I had my son. Oh he was my biggest blessing and nothing else matter anymore. I went home with a beautiful healthy baby boy. My teacher was aware that I had given birth. Because of my lack of attendance. She would drive to my house and bring my homework to me every Monday and would come back on Fridays to pick up my homework. When she would visit me she would help me with my homework and even cuddle with my son. She would carry my son every time he cried. So that I can concentrate on my work assignments. Always beating me to my son. I started thinking about how lonely she must feel. She only has one child and she’s grown up and out of the house. We became family. She would visit more frequently and continued to help me with my schoolwork and my child. My son became accustomed to her and it was nice having her around. She would always ask me where I saw myself five years from now. I would always reply back making enough money to sustain my family. I don’t think she understood why I said that. She looked at me and said no you have to attend college. You need a good education in order to be successful in life. In all honesty I have never heard of the word college or even imagined that I would attend college. Yet, after another child and work I finally attended community college and obtained my AA. Ten years later I decided that I need my BA. In order to be successful and accomplish my goals. I need my BA. My high school teacher is the reason why I’m in college now. She inspired me to attend college and be someone more than just a statistic. I am forever grateful for her kindness and for believing in me.