Shaped by the Past

The photo on the left is of my mom and I and the photo on the right is of my dad and I. When I was about six years old, my parents got divorced. I don't remember much from this experience, but I do remember not understanding why it was happening and what had gone wrong. I was put through counseling to try to understand why this had to happen to my family. My mom said that I was really upset and would act out at school sometimes because I was having trouble dealing with my sadness. I am an only child so I didn’t have anyone I could relate to.

Since my parents got a divorce, they have both been remarried. I don’t remember meeting either of my stepparents for the first time but I do remember that I liked both of them. Since I have gotten older, my mom has shared the true reasons as to why my parents got divorced. The information has changed the way I view my dad and his marriage. I am still close to my dad and I try to put aside the negative information, but it upsets me know that he tore my family apart. To this day, it makes me sad and angry to know what happened and to think about what I had to go through at such a young age.

This divorce has shaped every aspect of who I am today and has forced my to live a completely different lifestyle. While growing up, I had to deal with traveling back and forth between my parents houses each week, I had to switch schools multiple times, I had to accept no longer being an only child as my dad and his wife had two kids, and many other factors. But overall, this event influenced me mentally and emotionally; I am scared to trust people (especially in relationships) and I get frustrated when things don’t work out they way they are meant to be (or what society says is ‘correct’). Gowing up, I spent most of my time with my mom and stepdad. I have a very strong relationship with them and they both mean everything to me. They have helped me to achieve my goals and to know that anything is possible. I am still close with my dad, stepmom, and half brother and sister, but they haven’t been as influential on my life.

I look back on my life and realize that everything has turned out the way it was mean to be. I could not ask for better people in my life and I am so thankful to be happy, healthy, and loved. All in all, through this experience I have a better understanding on the important aspects of life.