perksofbeingmel

when life was different, I was taking care of my younger cousin, hiding in closets from the screaming.

when life was different, my mom, dad, sister and I were playing baseball and kickball in the backyard.

when life was different, I would watch my dad burn leaves in the backyard.

when life was different, my sister and I would live outside on the trampoline and in our ‘barbie jeep.’

when life was different, I was sleeping in a sleeping bag on the floor next to my mom and dads bed.

when life was different, my house had maroon walls, pink carpet, a red door, and big blue semi.

when life was different, I was training all day, everyday in the gym.

when life was different, I would travel the country with my dad and dog, Sissy.

when life was different, my mom had short, colorful hair, so vibrant like her personality.

when life was different, I only had one place I called “home.”

when life was different, my gym teammates were part of my family.

when life was different, I was at my Grandma and Grandpa’s house, climbing on trees, riding four wheelers, and watching Super Market Sweep.

when life was different, I was flying to Texas to train with the top gymnasts in the U.S.

when life was different, I would wake up every morning before Kindergarten to watch Franklin and Little Bear.

when life was different, I would eat chocolate pop tarts like my dad every morning.

when life was different, my sister and I  were playing Pac man and Frogger on our GameBoy’s.

when life was different, I was watching my aunt suffer and diminish completely.

when life was different, my family was an actual family.

when life was different, Christmas was only about Family and God.

when life was different, life was a celebration.

when life was different, nobody seemed as miserable as they sometimes seem now.

when life was different, I was in middle school having real sleep overs, not a drunken fest like everybody has now.

when life was different, God and Love were always part of the discussion.

when life was different, my aunt and cousin were my closest family members.

when life was different, we were waiting on the porch for the big blue semi and my dads big grin.

when life was different, I was drowning at “home” in Michigan.

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when life changed, I was driving 34 hours to Washington State with my new husband.

when life changed, my sister actually got engaged.

when life changed, my aunt was finally happy.

when life changed, I gained a few new family members.

when life changed, I moved to another state, Tennessee.

when life changed, I was happier than ever.

when life changed, my mom was actually feeling good about herself, having better days instead of bad ones.

when life changed, I found my brother too far away to bear.

when life changed, I found myself, all over again.

when life changed, I found the love I had been waiting for.

when life changed, I found myself more scared, yet more excited about the world around me.

when life changed, I’ve learned to appreciate certain things a little bit more.

when life changed, the worrying never stopped.

when life changed,  I guess I started seeing the world differently.

when life changed, I found a whole new level of independence.

when life changed, my dad became happy again.

when life changed, my sister was in need of something new for herself.

when life changed, I’ve learned to live with the fact that I have multiple “homes.”

when life changed, my mom was actually okay with me being away.

when life changed, everything changed.

when life changed, I found the life I had been waiting for.