Remembering

Ah, yes. I remember my 16th birthday. It was the worst birthday of my life. I thought I couldn’t do anything right. I couldn’t please anyone and no matter how hard I tried or how much I wanted it, I just couldn’t fit in. The last thing I wanted was a birthday party. I was a total wreck, but I got over it. I had to deal with some horrible days and I made some terrible decisions, but I also made some good choices and here I am, today!
As much as I hated what I had to deal with back then – the feeling of helplessness and hopelessness, the inferiority, the clumsy, awkward days; I wouldn’t trade a one of them for all books in the Library of Congress. Everybody knows how hard it is to grow up, but we all do it – some of us do it in spite of ourselves – but we do it.
I believe I am stronger, and I hope a little wiser, now that I’m older. Maybe all those struggles made me the person I am today. Maybe the choices and decisions I made then are why I am so happy today.
Because I was bullied when I was a girl, I won’t tolerate it now, and if I see someone mistreating another creature, be it a person or an animal, well, believe me – I do stand up for that one, and if I can, I make a difference. I learned that nothing is forever and no matter how bad I felt then, there was always a better day coming.
That helps me now, too. My old body isn’t as cooperative as when I was young, but it’s up to me how I deal with it – up to me how I act and react to my life. I have a choice. I have a choice – and I choose to be happy.