Just a Thought or Two

Five years ago, had anyone asked me where I’d be five years later, I promise, it wasn’t with OVR. Five years ago tonight, on the eve of my first day of work, I was thankful I wasn’t alone. Thankful my sister was there with me- that she was there for those first six weeks was such a God-send as I began the next chapter of my life. As I was readying for bed on that night, I laid out my Grandma’s sweatshirt, the one I have had for 20 years. I put it on, I needed to feel her love. Throughout the last five years, the support of my family has ensured my success. In the beginning, it was giving me rides, both to and from work, and to and from Edinboro during my internship, getting my groceries, helping me clean, helping me decorate, visiting me, staying with me for a week so we could brainstorm why I was falling so often, driving two hours to help me get off the floor, helping me get myself to the store, helping me discover a pool, etc. So many things that laid the foundation for...

With 2019 right in front of me, I find myself reflecting on 2018. So many things changed this year, changes that needed to happen in order for me to continue on this journey called life. I moved home, and truthfully, looking back on it, I wonder how in the world I managed to be two hours away from home for four years. As soon as I moved home, I instantly felt so much better. Sure, I was incredibly overwhelmed with the change, but I no longer felt the overwhelming sadness I had become accustomed to. Few knew the sadness I felt, and I struggled to understand much of it. In 2018, I become braver. And slowly, and even now into the new year, I'm trying to let go of insecurities that often cripple me. I laughed a lot in 2018, I was happier, even on the hardest, toughest days. I worked hard to connect to those around me, instead of connecting on Facebook (deleting it was the best thing I could have done). I tried harder to stick up for myself to people who hurt me with their words. I ...