My parents divorced when I was six years old and I was transported back and forth to my father's on the weekends. My mother took care of both my brother and me the best that she could. She gained her G.E.D. and then began working as a teacher's aide at a local school. That did not pay much so she began working nights at a bar. This is the point where my life completely changed because then I was basically on my own as a pre-teen learning the tricks and trades of the streets. I am not proud of the things that I did at such a young age but life changes a person in ways unimaginable. I in the middle of all of this freedom became pregnant at the age of 15 years old. I was scared, and clueless, and dreaded telling my mother. I and the father of the baby told my mother and her words changed my life drastically. I will never forget those words. She said, "You, got her pregnant then you take care of her!" Here I was torn to pieces with my heart broken and no clue what I was going to do. Here was my wake-up call because I had to grow up quickly. I soon got on assistance, kept going to a continuation school, and was managing a household all on my own at 15. Life was not what I had imagined with this man because he was the first to introduce me to intimate partner violence. I stayed strong and after five years found the courage to be on my own for a short time. On a positive note, I did raise my daughter to the best of my abilities. I finished high school early and went on to college but then I ended up dropping out for the lack of support. Fast-forwarding years later I soon raised not only one but four children on my own as a single mother. This is not meant in any way harmful to my mother but me being a single mother used all of my mother's examples as "what not to do" rather than as a life lesson that aimed at a more positive note. I have single handled raised four children, worked two jobs, gained certification in Microsoft Word, went back to college, and today hold an associates degree in both Psychology and Sociology. I failed to mention that I spent twelve years of my life battling intimate partner violence, depression, and not only physical but mental abuse. I was able to overcome it all due to the negative obstacles placed before me in life. They were a hard lesson to learn but they all made me the person that I am today. All of the bad experiences I have used in positive manners to make a difference in my life. I can honestly say that I am well on my way now to gaining my BA to utilize my degree plus experiences to help others in similar situations that I grew up in. I want to become that bridge to sid others through a crisis. My mother's perseverance did not end in vain. She helped me to become the best version of myself today. I will always love her for that!