Only You Can...

I ran away from "home" when I was 16 years old. My mother was manic depressive, my step father was a strict Christian man who loved to beat the faith into his family, and my biological father wanted nothing to do with me. I've never met him.

I remember many times my step father would tell me almost eveything I was doing was a sin and I was going to hell. It seemed like me going to hell for my sins was a popular topic and punishing me for my sins was his favorite past time. His punishments included locking me in the basement for three to four days without any food and sometimes without any water. Making me stand in the corner for a week straight from the time he woke up until the time he went to bed. I was only allowed to move if I had to go to the bathroom and to eat dinner. And to take his belt and hit me over the palms of my hands. He had a special leather belt for such an occasion. And these were only some of his punishments.

Anyway, I don't want to go through all the small details of it all. I felt I had no choice in running away. There may have been other choices, but I do not regret the choice I made.

When I ran away it was hard. I didn't know anything about living on the streets, but I learned quickly. I suppose I was one of the lucky ones. I made friends on the streets quickly.

I've slept in cars, abandoned houses/ warehouses/ apartments, I've slept in fields and in parks - anywhere I could find to sleep that seemed somewhat safe.

I got a job soon and finally saved up enough money to move to a new state far from where I was. I took a bus there and I had to stay on the streets there, but it wasn't so bad. At least it was warmer than my previous location. I was robbed many times. Nothing like having a gun to your head to make you doubt what you've done...and I was almost raped once, but thankfully I avoided it.

It took me two months, but I finally got a job. I would work every chance I got just to save up money. Besides, I didn't have a nice home to go to afterwards. I then went to school to get my GED. I saved up for an apartment and made some new friends.

I'm 21 now and I have my GED, I live in a brand new house with my best friend, her husband, and my boyfriend. He and I are talking about marriage. I've taken some college classes and I've decided to major in film directing.

So yeah, I was lucky. Not many people have the happy ending that I do. But to those people the best advice I can give is NEVER once give up hope. And as strange as this sounds I believe everything happens for a reason. Even if we don't agree or accept these reasons.

Life is too short to be unhappy, sad, pissed off, etc. If you don't like the situation you're in find someone to talk to. If you have no one to talk to then think about the options you have before you runaway. The world is a scary place for anyone and it's terrifying when you're completely alone. Running away is not the answer. It's the last resort. But if you do run keep away from drugs and prostitution. You don't want that life because it will take you nowhere.

Only you can make yourself happy. Only you can make all your dreams come true.

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