Sunday, October 18 2009, I just came back from visiting one of my best friends that I’ve known since the 7Th grade in Pollock Pines. Unlike just any other visit, today we celebrated her 19th birthday. Today was also the day that I got to see her 13 days old son Koby, my god son, for the very first time.
As I wrapped Koby’s diminutive body in my wide open arms, many thoughts filled my mind. I couldn’t believe that just a year ago my two best friends and I were talking about our future and what was going to happen. None of us imagined her, the youngest of us three, to be the first to have a kid. Thinking back to 7Th grade we would’ve never thought about the future this way. It seems like as we get older life only gets more difficult with plenty of new obstacles.
I could only then imagine how hard life is going to get for my friend especially being a teenage mom with only one year of a college education. It almost seems as if her future is set for her; to be a struggling teenage mom. I didn’t want to think the worse for her so I told her that things will get better but in my heart I doubted my own words.
Then I thought that one wrong move could alter my entire future. I was definitely scared, I don’t want to struggle to support myself in future but I didn’t want to have to sit down and plan out my every move just to make sure that I would succeed. I didn’t want to feel like I wasted my entire life by studying and working all the time. I want to be able to have fun, live life, be young while I can but at the same time be successful.
It then came to my senses that all those things could happen. I could have fun, live life and be successful as long as I know how to limit myself and set my priorities straight. I could be successful as long as I work hard and believe in myself. I could party and have fun as long as I don’t do it when I have a midterm, project or final the next day. My life could be perfectly fun and successful as long as I can manage my time and put what’s more important ahead of me.
Then I realized that I was just thinking too much, my friend’s future isn’t set for her; she has her entire life ahead of her. She could still be a successful teenage mom as long as she is willing to work for it. Of course a college education is going to take longer for her but its better late than never. With the help of close friends and families she could definitely be able to support not only herself but Koby. It won’t be easy, but I know she’ll be able to do if she just puts her mind to it.
Watching her and Koby today made me realize that one mistake doesn’t end your life or your future as long as you can get back on track. If school work gets hard, I’ll just have to keep trying or ask for help. If my social life gets a little out of hand, I should just hang on and see it through. Life isn’t an easy ride and everyone hits a bump in the road once in a while. As long as you just keep on going, you’ll get to your designation even if it does take a little longer and this is possible for everyone.
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i can stop questioning myself after i go to the college -- am i have to follow the path that my parents set for me? Why i have to study so hard? Every time i see my friend stay up the whole night to study, or they get addicted to coffee in order to eliminate drowsiness，i fell so stressful.I think college is a place to learn and have fun.I used to believe that i will be successful if i work hard enough.Now many factors make me fell uncertain about my future.Anyway, Ii think you're right. Life is an uneven road and we have to get rid of many unnecessary burdens, and keep moving forward.
ReplyDeletePeople always compare their life to a roller coaster. With its ups and downs, our life is like a ride. Happiness is when we reach the highest part of the coaster, then sadness follows as the coaster descend. I also believe that each of our life is set by our own actions. As long as we learn from our wrongs, continue through our struggles, and get up when we fall, then we can definitely create a brighter future for ourselves and for those we love.
ReplyDeleteYour story is very interesting to read, hope everything goes well for your friend and her child! And it's true that life is not always going to be butterflies and rainbows; sometime you might find yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place. You just have to find a way to pull yourself through everytime. & it's good that you know how to set your priorities and balance between fun and success.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend whose 19 and also going to have a baby boy too in 2 months. I actually can relate to your thought: one wrong move could alter my entire future. I did think my life was going to be ruined when i was in the roughest years in my life. But i still made it to college. Therefore, i really agree that one mistake that i've made in my life wouldn't ruin my future as long as i can get back on track.
ReplyDeleteI hope your friend will be able able to get through the hard times. I totally understand that one wrong decision will ruin our future. However, everyday is a new start, I think college should not be stressful. This is the time we have fun and relax while learning.
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