Things are going to get better

I thank my teacher as I walk out, but before I can take a step out of the classroom, my teacher asks me to come to the desk to have a quick word. Suddenly I'm worried. What does my physics teacher have to say to me? Am I in trouble? Later in our discussion I find out that definitely isn't the case. He just wanted to point out to me that he's noticed a huge improvement from last year in my chemistry class.Last year was difficult for me. It was literally one bad thing after another, and I struggled to hold and keep my head high.

First, my parents divorced because of my father's abuse for my mom and any of my siblings that tried to stand up for her. Then right after that my mom couldn't stand the social pressure of the neighborhood we were living in, so she announced we were moving near my aunt's for moral support. She also added she was going into nursing, so instead of being home all the time, she wouldn't be there at all.

Moving for the first time in my life, I went from outgoing to what my mom called a wallflower. I felt I couldn't talk to my mom because she was always so stressed about her college classes that me being lonely would only add onto it. I managed to make friends, and join my school's flag team. Still trying to not give into my pain, I avoided homework and I flunked. It was a miracle that I wasn't kicked out of my team.

The most I could do is tell myself to carry on. At the end of the term I set a goal- I would start going back to the grades I use to earn- A's and B's instead of C's, D's and F's. But my plans failed my when my friend died, and my new goal was to make it through the day without crying or to simply get out of bed. I just kept telling myself I'd turn in my assignments tomorrow- today was to hard to face. When tomorrow came, it was too.

Finally, school ended and I had to make up all of my failed classes. I couldn't allow myself to fail again. I promised myself that through no matter what, I'd pass my classes with nothing lower than a C. When school started, I stayed up late studying, and forced myself to do homework. At the end of the term, I got A's and B's.

Last week was really hard on me. My mom was struggling with memories of her abuse, and my home was a mess. But I made through it, and today I realized that I'm stronger and so much better than I was last year. Everyday I notice that instead of something tearing me down, there is something to look forward to. I cannot wait for tomorrow, last year I would have dreaded it. When things were getting worse and worse, I kept telling myself that things were going to get better. Although they exactly weren't then, they are now.

From now on, I know I can go through anything. And when the worst comes again I'll just remember I'm one step I was yesterday.