Sometimes Its Not About You

Different people live different lifestyles. which means people grow up around different views, beliefs, money situations, and hardships. There are a lot of different ways to grow up. Sometimes you don't have a choice of how you mature, Sometimes kids put down their toys, Sometimes kids get first jobs, sometimes they even go through deprivation. "Anything can happen at any time" is something I learned through my pretty unique situation of growing up. My little brother was born with the #1 genetic baby killer disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Through his childhood, he fought everyday to breath. We almost lost him multiple times. Today he is 16 years old, and wasn't supposed to live past the age of two. He had to make a decision to mature real quick to save his life. I am only 2 years older than my brother. Through my childhood I didn't have all the attention at all times and sometimes I had to occupy myself often. One night my family was about to lose him. I remember standing by his bed at a young age begging him, "If you wake up, you can have my favorite toy." I realized by watching my brother fight for his life that I had to be responsible and make it a team effort to help my family with my brother. Sometimes you have to grow even if you don't want to. Sometimes you have to, and that's okay.