Ups&Downs: 6. Looking Through the Gates

It’s been over a year since leaving mom.

I don’t know where she lives

Or how she survives,

But she still deposits money into my bank account.

And maybe pays for the old phone I don’t use.

I’ve told her stop paying for it,

But I guess it’s one of the few things that keeps life normal for her.

You know,

The old normal.

My family of 4 is doing alright,

My baby sister is growing fast,

My dad is on his grind as a VP,

My other mom is helping the less fortunate.

She says she never wants to take the place of my mom

I respect that,

But even if she tried

It wouldn’t be the same

Two very different personalities.

My mom’s side of the family is mostly the same.

I never realized until now how many similarities I have with them.

They’re my solace.

Oma moved from Granny’s old house into an apartment

And my baby cousins moved back east

Along with my aunt and uncle.

Cousin DJ is on his grind cooking at the Cheesecake Factory.

Sophomore year is over,

Now I’m a Junior in high school

And less than 2 years of being labeled as a kid.

I can’t wait to leave

And finally begin my life.

If I never get to live with my mom ever again,

I try to visit her.

If not then chances are I’ll never see her again,

Not for a while.

At the end of the day,

I’ve grown from all of this

I label myself a man,

But I won’t lose who I truly am.

I’ll always laugh,

I’ll always discover new things,

I’ll always have a little “kid” in me.

I know that I’m destined for greatness.

This is all

Just

A part

Of my success story.