I loved writing as a kid. I don't ever remember leaving home without a book to read and one to write. Sure I was made fun of many times. Often it made me want to give up, sometimes I did. I'd feel that no one would take me seriously. Or I'd never develop my craft into something they see worthy. So what's the point?

What really got me was who said things to make me feel that way. It was almost always someone I considered family. So if family says I'm no good, it must be true right? That's what thought then. Now I know that family, true family, will never beat me down. Family will not always like what I do but they will support the good that I do. Family doesn't want to see you fail or stuck in misery,even if they are. Family doesn't leave you behind. And they definitely won't make you wish that they did.

One of the first reasons for me to start writing was simply to get things off my chest. I didn't always feel I had someone to talk to or someone I could trust. Paper doesn't speak back even if it did sometimes try to fight back by ripping easily or getting caught on and folding. I hated wrinkled or torn paper unless I purposely did it.

Nevertheless, I learned to love writing. I love seeing blank pages turn into finished pieces of work. I love emptying my thoughts and the feeling of relief after all has been. I love sharing my work with others, well at least the ones who want to check it out.

Writing gives me an outlet, a way to channel whatever I am feeling. And it also gave me a way to reach out to those who may be going through the same or similar situations. It gave me a way to connect to a world I never felt connected too. It gave me a community that cares. Writing has given me so much that I could never stop now. Even if I was to write just for my eyes only as I did as a kid. Even if I burned it afterwards because it wasn't to be shared. Even if I never become some grand writer and no matter who laughs. I'm not here for them, but for me. I will never stop using a gift that gives so much to my life.