Just the Facts #29

 

 

“If Friday were a rainbow, it would be a double one.” (Keith Wynn)

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

 This week, we're diving back into my high school journey. Last week, we covered the freshman and sophomore years, which were a blast. But this time around, things get a little darker. My junior and senior years were a struggle, with more downs than ups. So, let’s get into it.

 

1.  Junior year was a major turning point for me. Up until then, I was putting up a facade of being the "perfect" person I thought everyone expected me to be, but it was all a lie. All that pressure to be something I wasn't made me miserable and depressed. I became so unhappy that it started to affect my schoolwork. I went from being a straight-A student to skipping classes and not caring about anything at all.

 

2.  By the time my senior year of high school started, I was really struggling. My parents eventually found out I was skipping school and not doing well in my classes. My drinking and drug use had gotten out of control, and I knew I needed to get help. The week of Halloween, I checked into a teen rehab facility and ended up staying there until about two weeks before Christmas. That was the turning point for me—the moment I decided to change my life for the better.

 

3.  While I was in rehab, my world was shaken up by some tragic news. A few of my friends were in a bad car accident. There were some serious injuries, but there was also one death—a sweet little girl named Megan who was about five. I used to watch her sometimes; she was my little shadow, always following me around. My parents and the doctor came to my rehab to tell me what happened, and I was given a 24-hour pass to go to her funeral. Being there broke my heart. It made me realize just how fragile life is, especially because there was a very real chance I could've been in that car, too. A part of me will always wonder if things would have been different if I had been there with her.

 

4. When I got out of rehab, I didn't have much of a say in where I'd finish high school. My parents lived right across the street from my old one, and they really wanted me to go back there. I felt totally different.

The first week back was a nightmare. Everyone treated me like I was made of glass and could shatter at any moment. I hated it and, after a month, I just stopped going and dropped out entirely.

 

5.  My high school journey was a little unconventional. I actually dropped out for a bit, but I went back to a cool program downtown that was designed for people like me who needed a different path. It was all self-paced, and I ended up finishing in less than a year!

 

6.  I have to end on a high note! I was talking about going to a concert every month, and I can't forget the time Def Leppard came through with their incredible "in the round" tour. They even filmed the show for two music videos, "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "Armageddon It." The whole concert is on DVD, and I swear I caught a glimpse of myself in the crowd!

 

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!