When I was 10 years old I lost my mom due to alcohol and drug abuse. Growing up living with a special needs brother and a single mom with substance abuse I had to grow up at a very young age. I was the mother of the family. Keeping everyone in check, ensuring everyone got fed, being on time for school/ work, and much more. When my mom passed me and my older brother moved in with my dad full time. He is my biggest supporter along with my step mom. I strive to end drug and alcohol abuse in homes with children. I live to support those around me who struggle with growing up in a toxic environment. I believe those who have experienced growing up in a household with a parent who choses substances over their kids are the strongest people in the world. They are forced to grow up and hopefully do better for themselves and future children one day. I also believe that any young person who has lost a parent in general is a strong person. It causes you to parent yourself and be a mature responsible individual. In my experience I don't have the interest in using any substances due to what I had to experience growing up. I think all children that go through a rough childhood and lose a parent are the best people because they learn how to cherish what they have and who they have around them. They learn to live life with a positive and uplifting attitude. I will always fight to be there for anyone who has lost a parent or grows up in a toxic household.

My mom passed in 2016. I lived with her primarily until her passing. Living in a single parent household is extremely hard on everyone involved. Me and my older brother didn't understand why mom and dad couldn't just get back together and be happy. My mother would do everything in her power to make sure me and my older brother were happy. She really tried her best, but drugs and alcohol did get the best of her. I didn't know that mommy having beer for breakfast wasn't normal. I didn't know that as a kid you should be in your room on a school night being tucked into your bed, instead I knew school nights as being at a different mans house so mom could have fun with her friends. I didn't know I was going to school smelling like cigarettes everyday at 7 years old. I love my mom but she didn't put her kids first. Little did I know my dad was fighting everyday and night to get us out of that environment. When she passed me and my brother moved in with my dad. I didn't realize at such a young age how much he did for me until I got older and started to understand. He would fight every single day to get custody of us to raise us in a healthier environment. My mom was always trying to support me, but what I didn't realize as a young child was my dad was fighting for me and my brother. He was fighting for our health, safety, security, childhood, and much more. When we moved in with him I started to realize how much he was doing for us behind the scenes. Without him I would not be half the person I am today. If he wouldn't have gotten custody of us I am not sure who I would be today as a person. He made sure I got therapy, did well in school, and still got out to enjoy time with friends, all while still grieving the loss of my mom. He put all of his stress aside for our mental health and growth. When I was little he would take me on daddy daughter dates to teach me where my standards should be when I got older. He wouldn't let me touch a door handle whether it was the car door or the restaurant door handle. He always made sure to point out when he tipped the server. Now I know if any man doesn't tip to run away. He would always let me walk first. He would hold my hand and he taught me how I should be treated in any relationship. Thanks to him I have yet to find anyone that meets my standards. When I started cheerleading my dad was my biggest supporter. He would go to every competition like a champ. I can't imagine being a dad having a daughter that cheers. Watching your daughter tumble on stage and get thrown around in the air by other young girls was terrifying to him, but he never let me know that. He would push me to do the best I could and never give up. He didn't miss one competition and even the ones we didn't win he was always so proud and made sure to tell me. My dad has been my biggest supporter from day one even when I didn't know it. He is the reason I am going to be successful one day. He is the reason I am a motivated and loving person.

My mother passed away in 2016. When she passed, I began to go down a dark path. I didn't have motivation to do well in school. I didn't want to meet new people because I thought why get to know people if they just go away out of nowhere. I have very little motivation to do anything. Until I started to realize time was only moving forward. She wouldn't have wanted me to suffer the way I was. For her I began to start doing better for myself, and most importantly those around me. I started to realize you never know when your last goodbye could be. From that day on I began to cherish every moment. I began to smile at everyone no matter who they were. I have strived to be a happy person no matter who I am around, or how I am feeling that day. I believe the most inspiring aspect of me is my compassion for others. Since her passing I have made it a big goal of mine to be there for anyone in need. I am always doing my best to listen to people, share my kindness to everyone around me, and I am always offering to help those in need. I feel that my compassion towards other people brings out the best in everyone around me including myself.Losing my mom really taught me that you never know what someone is going through and even just a smile passing by could change the outcome of their entire day. I feel that being kind and compassionate is not only healthy for those around you, but most importantly yourself. No one can be upset when you are a kind person. When you do at least one nice thing for someone everyday you start to enjoy life, cherish people, and appreciate the world around you. My compassion I gained from being mentally unstable has lead me to know what I want to do for my career. I would be so happy to be a nurse. All I want to do is help others. I want to give people a second chance at life. I want to help people with their pain mentally and physically. Being a nurse you are that patients person. You guide them through the toughest point of their life. If I could save even just one persons life I would do it without a doubt, but knowing I can save peoples lives everyday would make me beyond fulfilled.

I believe the most inspiring aspect of me is my compassion for others. I am always doing my best to listen to people, share my kindness to everyone around me, and I am always offering to help those in need. I feel that my compassion towards other people brings out the best in everyone around me including myself. My mother passed away in 2016. When she passed, I started to realize you never know when your last goodbye could be. From that day on I began to cherish every moment. I began to smile at everyone no matter who they were. I have strived to be a happy person no matter who I am around, or how I am feeling that day. Losing my best friend really taught me that you never know what someone is going through and even just a smile passing by could change the outcome of their entire day. I feel that being kind and compassionate is not only healthy for those around you, but most importantly yourself. No one can be upset when you are a kind person. When you do at least one nice thing for someone everyday you start to enjoy life, cherish people, and appreciate the world around you. 1. One quote that describes me the most would be “More smiling, less worrying. More compassion, less judgment. More blessed, less stressed. More love, less hate.” ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart. This quote is one that I live by. When I first heard it I felt like it was just like any other motivational quote you hear, but ones I read it a couple times I realized it is very factual. Over time I started to believe life is too short to be hateful towards people. Everyone is doing their best and being kind to everyone is the easiest way to happiness. The more you are hateful or judgmental to others, the more unhappy you become as a person. Being an unhappy person not only affects you, but everyone around you feels negative energy and becomes unhappy in your presents. Being a kind loving person is so much easier than negativity. It is easier to project, and the outcome is so much more fulfilling. 2. I have chosen to pursue a career in nursing because I have always wanted to spend my life helping others. Nursing will allow me to give people second chances and be there for them when they are the most vulnerable. Being a nurse is a hard job, but it will be more than worth it to know I am helping heal people and give them another chance at life.