New city, new me

It didn’t take just one day

More like two years

In Chicago I was one version of myself

I changed when I came to LA

I had to say goodbye to many

My mom

My dogs

My other family members

But I got my father and sisters back

When with my younger sisters

I learned the struggles of 

parenthood

At eighteen the pressure was

overwhelming

With each day I learn to be more patient 

to understand what they want 

to prepare for the worst 

and I love them more with each passing day

In LA I got my first job

As a tutor at Samohi

I understood the power of money

When I got my first paycheck

I felt happy and proud of myself

Because I earned it

And no one could take away the hard work that I did

Now that I’m twenty

I am grateful 

for all that I’ve learned

For the skills lasting a lifetime

I’m not done yet

Because I am still living my story