A man stood there with a pink suitcase, introducing himself as Mr. Robertson, a friend of my late mother and the Dean of Admissions at State College. “Your mother wanted this for you,” he said, handing me a photo of her in her graduation cap. He then revealed my acceptance and offered me a summer internship to prepare for college.
Kelly tried to intervene, but I found my voice. “I’m going to college,” I said firmly. With Mr. Robertson’s support, I left that toxic environment behind, moving in with a friend’s family.
That summer, I thrived in my internship, and by fall, I was enrolled in college, Buster—my loyal cat—by my side. The experience taught me to fight for my dreams, no matter the obstacles.
Now, two decades later, I have a family, a career, and a life I once thought impossible. I learned that while some may try to extinguish your light, resilience and hope can help you shine brighter than ever.