Four years of me.

January, 2010. The day that would change my life forever. It was sixth grade, I was called down to the guidance office to "talk." Figuring I was simply making a schedule, I walked down with joy. I walked into the room and saw my sister. She was on the new, blue fabric office chair, her shiny blonde hair facing me. Weird. She turned around and the sorrow hit me. She was crying, mascara down her face and on her tissues. I was so confused. Mrs. Magarity got straight to the point; your mother is incarcerated. I was so confused. Why? How? When? Where? All of my thoughts spread as I rode home with my sisters tears.

I got home and was told to say good-bye. I gave my mom the biggest hug, her tears rolling down my shirt, and said "I love you," then she walked out the door. Later that day I heard my dad talking on the phone; "She has a 4-13 year sentence." 13. Years. That is when I officially broke down. I cried and screamed and threw myself on my bed. I didn't go to school for weeks, and I hoped that everyone wouldn't know why I didn't go, but they did.

I returned to school, terrified. Everyone was...looking at me. I spent my lunches in the guidance office and after school sitting by myself on the bus. All of middle school was the hardest time of my life. Luckily I had a  lot of people to support me and keep me strong, but life wasn't the same without my mom.

Four years of fear, sadness, 6 hour trips to visit her, four years without my mom, and finally, the day came. January 13th, 2014, we got the call. "Come get me, I am officially out." We got up and ran to the car filled with gifts and love. It was the best day ever. My sister came over, my brother in law came over, everyone was together, as a family once again. I still remember the first thing my mom said when she got in the car; "Phones are flat now?" Life was finally falling back into place.

Now I know what some of you may be thinking, and no, my mother is not a criminal. My mother is the nicest, sweetest, most wonderful person on this planet, who just happened to get into a bad situation. This post may make you look at me differently, you may be shocked, but this is what makes me, me. This also may answer some questions about myself, and it is important to share. I love my mother, I love my family, and I love my life. Although this situation may be terrible, I wouldn't change anything because I wouldn't be "me" without it

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