People tell me I'm strong and that not many would have made it past all the obstacles that stood in my way. I don't see it that way, I believe that everyone has to face their fair amount of difficulties. My name is Laura and this is my story.

When I was 2yo my mother married the most ungodly creature I have ever met. He beat my mom, my other siblings, and myself every day of my childhood. When I was 11, he started touching me. It took me about two-years to realize that the things he was doing to me were wrong. I finally built up enough courage to tell someone…my mom.  SADLY, her response only added to my pain, she called me a liar and told me that I was only saying those "lies" because I wanted attention.

Shortly after that, my 5 younger brothers and I were put into Foster care. We were separated into three homes and in three different cities. My brother Shawn and I were in the same home for about a month. Our Foster mom was a horrible woman. She made me participate in an after school program for troubled teens. I wasn't a bad kid, I just came from a bad situation. When I came "home" one night I found my brother crying, because she hit him. I was beginning to think that it was our destiny, to be abused. I hated everyone. I hated my mom, for not believing me. I hated anyone who appeared happy, because they didn't appreciate it. And I hated God, for making me go through this. Soon enough Shawn went to go live with 2 of my other brothers and I was sent to live alone.

My new Foster moms name was Kim, and I loved her. She made me feel welcome and treated me as if I belonged. I lived with her for a year, but I still wanted to go home with my mom. I missed my family. I began misbehaving, and Kim got overwhelmed soon enough. I was supposed to go home with my mom before my 16th birthday, but my mom got a new boyfriend and our caseworker didn't think it was a good environment for us. Instead of going home, I was shipped off to a small town, White hall, Illinois. I hated it there, and my new Foster mom, Colleen, had no problem telling us that we were only there so she could get a paycheck.

When I turned 17yo, I finally got to move home. Well, until my mom kicked me out because her boyfriend didn't want me there. "She lied on your last husband, I don't want her doing that to me as well". I believe those were his words. During the time I had been home though, I met the most amazing person on the planet--my best friend, Amy. She showed me what a real family is and how they treat one another. She taught me that talking about your problems doesn't show weakness, and that it’s alright to feel overwhelmed and insecure sometimes. She listened to me, she was always there for me, and most importantly she believed me! She is truly my hero, she saved me.

 I moved to Texas a year ago, to be with my mom and my siblings. Things were going good at first, but history has a funny way of repeating itself. She left. She never tells me she loves me, she only calls when she needs something, and she is constantly putting me down and making me feel like a failure. The person who is always supposed to be there for me, is the one who is always leaving me. Most people pray for money, or new things. My only prayer is for my mother to love me. I live alone, in a state that I've never been to, and I am taking care of my little brother. I will never complain about the way my life turned out. I will never wish for a second chance. And I will never stop working hard to achieve all of the wonderful things that this beautiful world has to offer me.  

My past has been difficult, but I will never allow it to hold me back from my future. Often times bad things happen to good people, but doubting the cards you were dealt won’t get you anywhere in life. I believe that terrible things happened to me, so I'll appreciate all of the good things in life! If I have nothing else to be happy about, I'm happy that I'm here another day. Another day for me to attempt to forgive those who've hurt me, another day to love being alive, and another day to correct any wrongs I've made. When I feel as if I want to lay in bed and cry all day, I remember to count my blessings and put a smile on my face. There is joy all around us, sometimes we just have to look harder than others.