Personal Narrative: Growing Up Haley's Life

It was a beautiful day on Lake Erie with the lake’s misty wind sprinkling on my face as we drove out to the middle of the water to anchor. I was with my immediate family, my Aunt Ronni, Uncle Tim, and cousins from both sides of the family. All 10 of us were on my mom and dad’s boat, having fun swimming in the cool water and having the sun’s rays make our skin have a sun-kissed glow. All of the cousins were divided into two groups: the younger kid including my sister Josie and my two cousins Sadie and Hailey, and the older kids consisting of me and my cousins Kendall and Casey. Both groups were jumping in three at a time until we noticed Hailey, the youngest out of all the cousins, was refusing to jump in.

On April 26th,1999 I emerged into the world a happy baby given the name Bethany Gavin. I’m now in year 12 and I attend Cooks Hill Campus, Big Picture. My education began here in year 10 after leaving three years of home schooling and have grown as a student as the years have gone on.

We all have those friends that we don't talk to on a regular basis, but when we do see them, things pick up right where they left off. We know enough about them to be close, but at the same time we almost feel as though we know nothing about what is going on in their life. I have one of those friends. I've known her for almost four years. I know about her family and her life, but some small things about her life I felt I was missing. I'm now aware of those "small" things that I didn't see. After an annual trip to Cedar Falls, Iowa, I know a lot more about her, and about mental health than I ever have.

Reading her story has helped me see my insecurities in another light, and realize that if I am open and up front with my friends and loved ones, that they are likely to lift me up and give me the support to relieve my anxieties rather than confirm my

I have for months been in apprehension that David would volunteer. Yet, joining the Army will be a terrible trial to me. He joined the Washington County Company commanded by Capt.Willet. They are now at Camp Cummings, the Fair ground. David sold his Pistol, got $25 for it, paid some of his little debts and we are preparing shirts with crochet work. He is very serious and deliberate about it, and the poor boy, he will be more so as the hardships thicken upon him. He was anxious to be called in.

She doesn't have the communication skills to voice her concerns or worries. Her world revolves around a schedule that she trusts, a schedule that is always constant, I said. She therefore needs friends that are constant and dependable, just like her schedule. Most importantly however, I said that she needs friends that genuinely want to be her friends, not someone who is trying to enhance their own image. Both my family and I believe that having genuine relationships with others is the greatest gift in life. After speaking my mind and clearing my conscience, I looked around to see apologetic stares. The silence of the room told me that I was finally making the connection needed in order for them to understand Abby's situation. I am very proud of this moment in my life because in all honesty, the most important person in my life is my sister. She always welcomes me home from baseball practices, final exams, football games, etc. with a warm smile and an emphatic hug. My duty, as her brother, is to make sure she lives a comfortable life, so speaking up for her is the least I can do in order to create that

Kelsey is the most creative person I know. My older sister Kelsey is one of the most important people in my life and I’ve always looked up to her. I was actually surprised when Kelsey said I could interview her, she usually tells me to go ask mom whenever I’m asking her something. After interviewing my sister, I learned a lot about her. Before interviewing her I didn’t know how hard it was for her to get through school, I had no idea it was such a big commitment for her to make. I already knew she loved what she does for a living, just didn’t know how much it meant to her.

Henceforth, I’ve always been aware about my little sister suffers from manic depression, eating disorder, and was a sexual abuse victim. My little sister, who lives in Indiana with my parents, has gone through a roller coaster of emotions with problems, and apparently, she had enough and planned to commit suicide. This is very hard to write just thinking that I could of lost my baby sister, since she is my support and best friend. Soon after I dropped out of the program, I contacted my sister to inform her of my failure, and how I plan to go visit them in Indiana. My sister then confessed she was planning on committing suicide, but was happy she had something to look forward to now.

Her story gave me renewed hope and encouragement at a time when I felt somewhat despaired. I often turn to Philippians 4:13 when I feel that life is too big for me to handle. This verse reminds me that as long as I believe in God and lean on him, I will have the strength to persevere (Philippians 4:13, NKJV). Her story is a living example of this scripture. I was so grateful and spiritually blessed by her story.

Watching my youngest sister go downhill was one of the hardest challenges I came across because I went down with her. My sister was diagnosed with an eating disorder and food paranoia. It was just as difficult to our family as it was on her. I realized that her pains became mine. Hours that were dedicated to my education soon were spent at hospitals, anorexia centers, and always being by her side. This challenge indeed affected my academic achievements because although I was not the one psychically sick, I still took on the sufferings because my sister is a part of me. When she did not eat, I did not eat, when her happiness was drained, so was mine and when she started academically doing poorly so did I. Her misery was a mirror reflection

It all started two weeks ago. I had just moved into a beautiful home. The owner of the home had sold it very cheap, I’d had wondered why, but didn’t care to ask .I was just glad I got such a great deal on such an amazing home. I was so excited that I bought a plaque with my name engraved on it. It reads “The Home of Matthew Jones,” it really wasn’t necessary but the amount of money that was left over after buying the house was incredible.

The growing up process is all about messing up and learning from your mistakes. I don’t think the amount of mistakes you’ve made determines your character but rather how you learn and grown from them. People tend to learn a whole lot during the teenage years and I certainly did.There were a few situations in particular that I definitely think I learned from.

The summer before my sophomore year, I volunteered at the Cincinnati Zoo as a “Volunteen.” I applied and was accepted to be part of the education program, combining two of my favorite things at the time, kids and animals. I worked for one week at a time for eight hours a day, then the next week I would work with different volunteers, different teachers, and different kids. My first week with the program was a bit overwhelming but it was also my favorite. I was in charge of a pretty big group of six and seven year olds, my favorite of which was a six year old little boy named Luke. Luke was special not only because he was a really sweet boy with impeccable manners, but also because he wore pink nail polish. It didn’t stand out right away, so it took awhile for anyone to notice. Seven year old Mary-Kate asked why he was wearing nail polish if he was a boy. Without missing a beat, Luke replied, “Because I like it and it looks pretty.”

From the day Dylan was born, I couldn’t stop looking at him. I couldn’t believe he was mine. He was so small it made me want to kiss him all the time in his big cheeks, little feet, and hands. On November 30, 2014, he gives me a big smile, and I saw his dimples for the first time. I immediately fell more in love with him. Dylan has some big brown eyes every time we go to the store or other places a lot of people say the same thing about him.

Then I open my eyes and I am thankful that my sister trusted me to give her daughter the life she deserved. I also have a 10-year-old daughter. My life as a mother has been a blessing. I kept the promise I made to myself that she would never know how it feels to struggle. I work hard to provide for them and I make sure they learn all of life lesson along the way. It was easy but having my girls is nothing short of a blessing. My niece is now 17 years old and a Junior in high school. She is an honor roll student who has already won two scholarships. She is in all honor class, a mentor at church. She is in the Band at her high school and I couldn’t be more proud of her. Our journey in the beginning was hard but it was worth