Persevering Paige

I have found the title for my book about my life if I ever write it. “The Life of The Few”. It’s perfect, and it sums up exactly how I want to describe my life in just a few words. I have started it, but I will dedicate my life way more to it once I graduate college next year. That is not to say that no one has lived a life even remotely like ours. It is to say that our lives are unique in the amount of tragedies we have had to overcome, the bond we have because of it, and how it has changed all of our perspectives.

I may spend the rest of my life recovering from unseen tolls of the loss of my parents at ages 7 & 14, that show up sometimes while for the most part remain relatively unseen, yet are very much there. Though when these tolls show themselves they are hard to overlook, I have been convinced that I am better for the life I have lived, and that is a testament that I will strongly declare in my book. What do I mean by that?

I mean that due to the life I have lived, the inner part of my heart has been shaped to live a life that uplifts, empowers, and serves others. I understand and appreciate the time I have with my loved ones. I know that moments are precious while I am living them, and I cannot spend a moment without the awareness of that making it’s way through my mind. I imagine that if I hadn’t lived the life I’ve lived, I wouldn’t have much interest in becoming a teacher. If I did, perhaps I wouldn’t be as passionate. The life I have lived has allowed me to connect with words strung together eloquently that relate the human experience timelessly. I appreciate the human condition because I understand the harsh realities so deeply. I value expression and know that it can help others to feel more understood.

This year is a year of change for the three of us.

Matthew

Matthew moves into school at Radford University through the bridge program to begin his new chapter in his life. The past few years we have become so close and my heart aches at the thought of us not seeing each other everyday. My heart aches even more when I think about the fact that the chapter of our lives where we live together and see each other everyday will be permanently over. My brother is my best friend and has been by my side through the unthinkable. He is, perhaps, the one guy who has always been there and never left. I know we will continue to be close because we have a special bond that is unlike any other. I’m so proud of him and though I will miss him terribly, as long as he buckles down and truly applies himself, I will be happy knowing he is doing incredible things.

Danielle

Danielle starts school at Marymount University after finishing her time at Northern Virginia Community College. I am so happy for her as she embarks on her journey of fashion design and merchandising, something she is meant to do. The feeling of being at a university, studying what you are in love with is one of the best feelings, and when you get the feeling of “this is what I am meant to be doing”—it is everything you could hope for. She is such a hard worker and I know that she will make the most of this new chapter as well as exceed all expectations she has for herself. I hope this new chapter confirms all gifts she was given; and further proves to her what good comes from playing a bad hand of cards really well.

Me

I’m about to begin my senior year at Shenandoah. I never thought I would make it to where I am now and it is a result of the strength I have in me and an incredible village that got me here. This next year will be the most incredible one, because I will get to student teach and write my capstone essay, as well as walk across the stage. I am hopeful and yet also terrified to think of student teaching and having a bunch of students staring at me everyday. I also am nervous to live on campus for the first time in my college career, especially since I commuted last year and the friends I made are a semester ahead of me and both live off campus. I know this next year will require a lot of strength in my academic load, teaching hours, and essays…but I will also have to make huge life decisions for the first time in my life, such as where to apply to teaching jobs, and where to accept them. I know that I have the strength to do whatever this year throws at me, even if it gives me awful nerves.

I hope that I can handle the changes this year is bringing so quickly. I hope that my siblings and I stay close and defy all odds, continuing to prove that we are better for having lived the life of the few. ❤️

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