This I Believe Essay - That Innocent Afternoon Nap

It was the most significant day of my life. A time that changed my whole entire view of people and things. It was a time when I actually cried for a reason, not because of a sad scene in a drama or because of the stress that I go through in school. That day began on a morning I thought all would go well. It wasn’t until I took a short afternoon nap.

I had a long day in school and all I wanted to do was snack on a bag of chips and lie in bed. I just finished a 2-hour dance rehearsal and my body was aching. As soon as I dropped my bags next to my bed and changed my clothes, I laid down and slept. I didn’t think about anything else. I just wanted to start off my night with a clear head and when I was younger, my parents always told me that it was good to sleep in the afternoon. So, I did, but I had no idea taking a short nap would become a problem.

I felt this painful slap on my leg and a heavy object fall right on my stomach. I woke up in an instant and found my mom at the edge of the bed. I frowned and said to myself, “ohhh......here we go again.....” She began yelling at me and accusing me for not being a responsible person anymore and for lying to her about my school projects. I yelled back and I tried to defend myself. I told her my side of the story and my complete innocence. She still didn’t believe me. Then, the words I will never forget. “You’re so immature and you don’t listen anymore. You don’t obey us anymore. You always want to go out and have fun. Why don’t you think about the responsibilities you have towards your family members?”

From that day on, I began to focus more in school. I wanted to stay away from home as much as possible. At times, I had suicidal thoughts. I looked down a building once and considered it, but something was holding me back. I would seek advice from my friends every so often, but they all told me the same thing, “Run away from home.” But, if I do, where would I go? I have no one to turn to. How would I support myself? What will I do in my life? I just can’t run away. Despite what’s going on at home, I still want to stay. I don’t know why, but I just want to stay. But, it still bothers me. She doesn’t even know her own daughter. She doesn’t take the time to get to know me before she judges me. She needs to know that my actions are based on the way she treats me.

Recently, I spoke to a friend of mine. She told me, “Don’t ever think about leaving this world. Just find a way to get through your parents.” Ever since she told me that, I had hope. She gave me confidence that one day, things will get better. Since then, I got stronger each day. I didn’t want to become like my mom. I wanted to be someone different. I didn’t want to be like the other teens who became rebellious because of the dysfunction in their family. Each day, I put a real smile on my face. When I’m in school, I’m happy. When I film videos, when I dance dance, and when I sing, I find my inner happiness. So, no matter how difficult things get, you will become stronger when you keep persisting. Don't let anything bring you down. This I truly believe.