Heart for the Journey

Texas to San Diego San Diego to McKinleyville (Northern California) McKinleyville to San Diego San Diego to Sacramento In 2 years time, my mom made several big moves with me in tow. In McKinleyville she met a man who later became my stepdad, which is what ultimately landed us in Sacramento. I was 10 years old and so unhappy with the life I had no control over. I remember calling my aunt Lynn all the time when I was home alone after school and telling her I wanted to come back home (San Diego). After a few months, I finally settled in, made some friends and life got a little better. My mom was pregnant with my little brother Dylan and I was really excited to be a big sister. Five days before his due date, my mom went to the doctors for a checkup and the doctor couldn't find a heartbeat. The umbilical cord had wrapped around his head and neck and he didn't survive. After 14 hours of labor, my mom delivered a beautiful and perfect sleeping angel with wavy auburn colored...

Six weeks after my grandma passed away, my moms dad (whom I had never met), passed away unexpectedly. My mom made the decision to leave her abusive on again-off again boyfriend for the final time and moved us to Texas to live with her fathers widow. Within a 6 month period, we moved from San Diego to Washington to Texas.  The move to Texas was a rough one and although there are a few good memories, the short time we lived there was filled with chaos, turmoil and instability. It was in Texas that I had my innocence stolen from me.  Being a single mother, my mom was forced to find full time childcare for me during the summer months while she worked and went to school. There was a "family member" who offered to watch me since he was already watching his 2 year old grandson. The house they lived in was beautiful! It was right on the lake and they had a boat, there was a pool table and a big tv to watch movies on. I thought I was going to have the best summer ever, but I ...