Coming into class, I was not expecting to be so moved as I was. Devon did a great job in leading the class. He left me emotional and speechless. Hearing him speak to us on what motivates us only reminded me of why I am trying so hard the way that I am.

I remember a time when I was little. My parents used to fight constantly and consistently. My dad would always be so angry and it turned into many conflicts with not just my mom, but with my half siblings and myself. There was a point in time where I wanted nothing to do with my dad. We had been on rocks for years and years. We never fully recovered and that is where we stand today. Throughout my whole life, it has been my mom, brother and grandpa standing by my side. Although I do have 4 other half siblings, I did not grow and bond with them as well as my brother and I. I remember growing up, I saw my mom in so much hurt and pain. She cried all the time that every time she cried, I cried with her. It got to a point that was so bad that even when she was watching a chick-flick that made her cry, I would cry with her because I remember the hurt in her eyes from long ago. After my parents separated, I craved for the approval from my mom, brother and grandpa. Hearing a “good job” or “I am so proud of you” made my day. After my parents separated, times were tough. My mom would worry about how she would put food on the table and about how her credit might go bad because the bills were not getting paid in time. As years went on, things got better. I have not seen the hurt in her eyes that I once saw long ago and even though money is still tight, we are stable. I am blessed to be in college. Through everything, my mom, brother and grandpa are my why. There is nothing more that I want than to hear my mom, brother and grandpa say that they are proud of me. I told them my life goal and they have supported my every step of the way. They are why I want to get to where I want to be. My mom and grandpa have taken care of me my whole life and after I am establish I want to return the favor. They are my why.