Responsibility when Lost

When I was a child, I was kicked out of my house. According to the law, there is a ten pm curfew for kids under the age of eighteen. I was old enough to drive, and was enrolled in a private school. I felt abandoned and upset. I drove to the park and prayed that the cops wouldn’t pick me up. I got ready for school at six am, had my school backpack in my car and threw on my uniform, and drove myself to school. I took care of my responsibilities as a child by getting myself to school on time when my parents had kicked me out of my home. Sometimes adults make illegal and disrespectful decisions, yet as a kid with ambitions, I did not want to get into trouble for an adults irresponsible decisions and behavior and I knew that I wanted to be a responsible kid and get to my classes with my friends even though their families didn’t kick them out of their own homes; I just wanted to blend. Later, I got in trouble for reading a school assigned book in the lawn because I pitched a tent in my free period. This was a norm on Reed College campus, but I was told, “that’s not normal,” I was crushed because I just wanted to blend and do what was right; however, I do not want to be normal since people’s differences is what sets us apart and sometimes elevates us. For example, fashion designers cannot be normal. Actually, they have to be the complete opposite in order for their work to become noticed. As an adult, I realize that differences and not being normal is actually a strength, and not a weakness. Also, the fact that I was able to take care of my responsibilities as a kid when my parents were supposed to be supportive, and not throw a kid out on the street makes me proud of my younger self even though I felt lost and confused at the time. Never let go of your ambitions, and always dare to be different.