Sunday read in the
@nytimes thank
@alixstrauss for taking the time to write this story :)
Thank you New York for being apart of this series and opening up your lives for the world to see ā„ļø š«¶
This idea changed my life and my familyās life⦠Iām so grateful š„¹ like I come from a big family, Iām the middle of 9 children (yes from the same parents). My parents really fought to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table.. powdered milk, rice, no gas money and hand me downs sort of life. This sort of life restriction drove me mad and into a state of curiosity about the world. Reason number 5031 why I love New York, I can walk everywhere and donāt need gas money to try at life.
The real catalyst moment for me, when I moved to New York my dad was dying from cancer and that really sent me. Cuz to be honest, I didnāt respect or appreciate how he handled life or treated me, any of my siblings or my mom. It was some real fuck shit that drove me to the edge of not wanting to feel anything and considering any other alternative if you catch my drift.
So when he passed, I said fuck this shit, im tired of feeling this way, im tired of being depressed, im tired of being scared about money and food. Im tired of choosing between going home for the holidays or paying rent. I was done and it was change everything about my self or go homeless trying.
And fuck itās been an uphill battleā¦.
I will only ever understand my life experience but for the most part I feel like Iāve been there. And thatās why Iām chill cuz I washed dishes for 8 years and rode the china bus to get home. If you know you know.
Iām eternally grateful š„¹ for the struggle because without it I would never have been pushed to change.
Thanks New York for kicking my ass and turning me into someone I love ā¤ļø