The Road Between Here and There

Here is where I was born, with the white walls surrounding the miracle of life.

Here is my happy, picture-perfect family living and growing together.

Here is the start of my sickness, the dehydration kicking in and risking everything.

The countless hospital visits, and the last one that saved my life.

Here is happiness because of a great miracle.

Here is the beginning of the end, the fights and the end of a relationship.

Divorce, the event that altered my life forever.

Here is the start of the new life, living without my parents together.

Here is my grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary,

Where I demolished too many sweets and ended up puking on the dance floor.

Here is the fresh start, where my mom found love again.

Here is the darkness, the loss of the greatest light in the world.

Starting life without my grandpa, one of the toughest days of my life.

Here is my sister’s graduation party, a day where I cried and lost my best friend.

Here is the start of junior high sports, nerves and awkwardness paving the way.

Here is the beginning of a new path, the start of a new school and life with my dad.

New opportunities and greatness arose from this decisive action.

Here is the start of my grandma’s sicknesses.

With hope, we made it through.

Here is the start of my dream,

Playing volleyball has always been something I’ve wanted.

Here is my sophomore year of football, starting on defense and making a name for myself.

With a proud family and a humble heart, I played that sport with a passion.

Here is speech success, which ended with heartbreak and disappointment.

Here is my junior year,

Excellence in school has caused my family to be proud.

Stress and expectations are weighing down on me like a mountain.

Here is Washington D.C., the greatest experience of my life with amazing people.

Here is my life so far, ups and downs, twists and turns, making me the person I am today.

-Oliver, the cat