My mother had me on her 18th birthday.  Three days later, my father was killed in a car accident.  After that happened, my mother gave up on life.  That left a little brown eyed girl in a big world all alone.  I am the brown eyed girl.  So, from the time I was born, I guess you could say that I have taken care of myself. 

        When I was 5, my mother gave me a little sister.  Now, I was taking care of myself and my little sister.  I can remember fixing my sisters hair on picture day, when I was only 10 and she was 5.  I never really worried about myself, as long as sissy was happy.  All was good, until one day they came and took us away.  We were placed into a foster home.  Where shortly after, me and my sissy were separated. 

 

        I went through my teenage years trying to hide my pain.  I always heard the phrase, "Don't end up like your mother".  But, being a troubled teen with so much inside, I also became a teenage mother.  You can only imagine how let down my family and friends were.  Instead of praise, I got dirty looks, or no looks at all.  I had a beautiful son, that everyone made out to be a mistake. 

       My son is 16 months old now, and he is no mistake at all.  He is a gift from God that amazes me everyday.  I have been alone, but at the same time I have not.  I have had my son.  He changed my life and made me to realize that there is so much to life, no matter if you start early or not.  It's the mistakes you make that help you build character. Still to this day, my mother is not here.  And many people think that I have taken the same road as her, but I know that I have not. 

        I am doing what everyone told me to do.  I am not being like my mother.  I may not have much to offer my son, but I do have more love and compassion than anyone could ever imagine.  My son doesn't have what other fortunate children have, but he does have his mother.  That's more than I can say I ever had. 

        My son WILL live the life that I always dreamed of.  And I am the only one that can make sure of that.