First Draft Literacy Narrative

Chandler Hardee

September 7, 2012

How My Life Was Changed

            My life has changed so much since I was a seventh grader at Conway Middle School. I remember being happy and strong, but looking back it was no comparison to what I later thought or imagined I could be one day. This was the year my parents told my sister and me they would be separating and getting a divorce. Because of this experience, I am the young woman I am today.

            I remember my dad picking my sister and I up from school and telling us we couldn’t go stay with our aunt, uncle, and cousins that night, because we had something to talk about. The thought dared to cross my mind that my parents might be splitting up, but I wouldn’t allow myself to think of it. My sister and I were always in trouble for fighting and being mean to each other, so I chose to believe it was just something to do with our behavior.

When we arrived at home, we all sat down together in the living room.  My mom was the one to tell us some of the most difficult words to hear.  She explained they just weren’t happy together anymore. The feeling of knowing we would never be able to be together at the same time as a family seemed unbearable. My mom, sister, and I decided to stay with my aunt that night. I remember my dad being upset because my sister and I were hurt. I definitely wasn’t used to seeing my dad that way. Dads were always supposed to be strong in my eyes at that time, and I had never experienced anything like what I was witnessing. Most of my friend’s parents were still together except for maybe one. I remember my parents not seeming as happy together as all my friend’s parents. I just never thought they were that deeply unhappy.

            The divorce was long and difficult on everyone, but especially my sister, Grayson and me. The first time, I was on the way to my new house with my mom, I remember being fearful and wondering where we were going. I was so used to living close to my extended family and out in the country. We were heading closer to the beach, and that forty-five minutes felt like two hours. We pulled into a neighborhood and my first contemplation was that I was going to hate it. I didn’t want to go outside and make new friends because I wanted to be with all my friends in Conway. Which was now thirty miles away. I wasn’t old enough to drive yet, so I had to rely on my parents to take me to see my friends. I felt like after a while my mom wouldn’t be willing to drive that far anymore.

Over time, Grayson and I ended up making friends with our neighbors who we are extremely close to today. I had to make the best of where I was until I was able to drive. My family was very supportive and helpful through all of this. If they hadn’t been there for me, it would have been so much harder. Holidays and having to get used to going back and forth all the time was terrible. If we were with one side of the family, the other side felt as if we were showing favoritism. I remember despising having to pack my bags to go stay with one or the other. I was always apprehensive I wouldn’t have something I needed, and that feeling was horrible.

My parents share joint custody of us.  I started out living with my dad, and my relationship wasn’t very good with my mother. I wouldn’t go see her, and I broke her heart. I have no idea now why I did what I did, but today my relationship with my mom is wonderful. She is now not only my mom, but my best friend! Once I started high school, I realized how much I needed her.

My dad was very protective of me and never let me go hang out with my friends. I am the oldest, in case you couldn’t tell.  Once I started dating my boyfriend, who I am still with today, my dad just didn’t understand. Justin is a few years older than me, and I don’t think my dad liked that too much. I got to the point where I just couldn’t take being cooped up in my room all the time anymore. I decided it was time to go live with my mom. My dad was so angry that he told my mom he didn’t want anything to do with me anymore, which broke my heart into pieces. I was a daddy’s girl and hearing him say that killed me inside. My dad has a temper and tends to say a lot of things he doesn’t mean.  He is still a part of my life today. My relationship with my dad now is great. I don’t see him a lot, but he is a great dad and will always be there for me when I need his emotional support.

            Today, I have a step-mom, stepsiblings, and a step-dad. Both of my parents are extremely happy; therefore so am I.  I had to get used to a lot of changes, and it was quite hard for a while. I had to stay strong and figure out where exactly I needed to be to become the person I wanted to become. My mom has helped me through so much and always been there. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with her. I hope that I can be the kind of mom she is to me to my own children one day. She has taught me so much and made me the person I am.

From this entire experience I have become stronger, wiser, and a better person overall. I am so thankful for the changes because good came out of each and every one of them. I can honestly say that this experience has changed my life, but only for the better. God has truly blessed me with a wonderful family, which I might not have been as close to if it wasn’t for this experience. It was tough for a long time, but now it’s remarkable.