I am who I am because of my darkest days,

I am who I am because I changed my ways.

A young girl who took a great loss at 14,

Lost her mom, and two brothers in 2013.

People ask me constantly how you continue,

And I simply say because life continues.

Yes, the darkness consumed me.

Yes, I felt like I was sufficating,

But who could blame me?

My family was shot down by a Bushmaster XM15

And their home of comfort was invaded.

The way I viewed the world changed.

The way I viewed people changed.

But who am I to blame?

I am who I am because of my darkest days,

I am who I am because I changed my ways.

Three years later, and it's 2016.

Yes I am still hurt.

I felt like giving up, and the world was against me.

I had to learn taht with pain comes strength,

Still battling only to remember the battle was not mine,

And no more shall that darkness consume me.

I am now 18 years of age, a senior in high school.

My mindset is totally different.

Through all of this I remembered I had HOPE.

I HOPED for a better life,

I HOPED for better days,

I HOPED to beat the odds,

I am still hoping for much more.

I say this because Faith without Hope is Dead.

Now I have faith that I will succeed.

I will not go back to my darkest days,

And I will continue to hope and keep my faith.

Darkness Runs when the sun shine.

Darkness Runs When Light Comes.