Whew Lord! I was very active, out-spoken, ambitious, and self-motivated even as a young child. Much of how I am today! I didn't have the hardest life, but certainly not the easiest. I was raised by my mother, and grandparents in a baptist church. I have a younger sister, whom of which I sadly say I neglected in my teenage years chasing my athletic dreams. I never really questioned or worried about where my 'dad' was, and it didn't matter until I got engaged for some reason. As a young child several teachers would say I talked too much and/or I had a bad attitude, but they could never say I wasn't smart and a hard worker! However, I did suck at math. In my intermediate years I wrote poems, stories, ran track, and I loved to dance and sing. Yea, I know... I cant sing! I was the ULTIMATE tom-boy! In middle school I was introduced to volleyball and organized basketball... Much different from playing in my driveway. I began to notice boys, but nothing more than them carrying my books, holding my hand, or hitting me on the butt and running away so that I couldn't slap them. I got suspended for fighting a few times. A few teachers loved me and the others were threatened, bothered, and/or annoyed by my "consistent opinion" (loud mouth). I made a friend of two, but mostly associates. I witnessed my mom go through a very unhealthy and abusive (verbal & physical) relationship. Nonetheless, I left middle school a curious, ambitious, and excited 14 year old virgin!
My high school years were "off the chain"! Playing volleyball was my first love, while basketball and track & field shared the passenger seat. High school was a field of great opportunity... Cute boys, big football games, and out of state field-trips via clubs like FBLA. To save time, I'll leave major details out... BUT while in high school I drove without a license (permit only), dated the wrong guys, made As and Bs, got hit by a car, played volleyball in Hawaii for 10 days, missed curfew, got real "whippings" (from my mom in the 10th grade), gave away my "hot-pocket", tried a________ and m_________, went to parties, had sleepovers, got in-school detention for dress-code violations, skipped school for Ci-Ci's instead of going to the cafe, lettered in 3 sports, crushed on the older boys, developed bonds with friends and teachers that will last a lifetime, lived in a house without heat for a year, participated in FBLA & SGA, taken things that didn't belong to me, cursed out and snapped on the girl that wanted my boyfriend, ran for Homecoming Queen, won Prom Queen, went on official athletic college visits, and attempted to go to the Marines.... Yes, all that! It's only God's grace & mercy that I didn't get pregnant in high school or college, go to jail, die from alcohol poisoning, and/or kill myself over the guy that didn't want/deserve me.
Not all things that I am proud of either, but they didn't stop my dreams or change my vision. The core of me wanted to be successful and make my family proud. Most of the things I did happen because I was searching for something and/or encouraged by other factors, but at the end of the day I take full responsibility for all that I have done and every decision I made. Living is not about being perfect, it's about learning, growth, change, and never quitting. Today Natasha is a praying, speaking, sowing, beliving woman of faith, college grad twice that's working on a third, a wife learning to be selfless, a teacher striving to be the difference, a coach committed to pouring passion into the hearts of her players, a friend of sacrifice, and a sister that is supportive and available. And guess what, I'm still loud, out-spoken at times, and very opinionated... Just with more tact and wisdom! I am living proof that success, or the making of, is not the perfect story, but a story that is worth being told to help someone else along the way. I made mistakes, poor choices, and epic fails sometimes, but I am LIVING PROOF that God has a plan with your name on it... Create your vision, make up your mind, and go chase your dreams!! NOTHING CAN BE DONE or SAID TO STOP you, but YOU!
GGGGGIIIIIIRRRRRLLLLLL!!!!! You almost made me shout at work. Your story is very similar to mine as we have all made decisions, some less wise than others but all in all we made it out! The difference between stupid decision as less wise is what you get from the experience. I can honestly say, as you just did, by God's grace and mercy we lived to see another day with the gift of new mercies daily! Thank you Jesus!
ReplyDeleteLong story short, you're an inspiration, not only to your students but to other women as well. Keep up the good work! We all need encouragement along this journey called life, womenhood, etc., so thank you for sharing your story and continue to do a good work in planting positive and uplifiting seeds! The road is rough but God is all knowing, all seeing, a deliverer, a provider, He loves us unconditionally, and most of all He is our Father!
Thanks for sharing and encouraging! You have developed into quite the phenomenal woman with a beautiful spirit...and yes you are still loud and CAN'T sing but at least you are being loud for God and i love it! :)