Ever felt like a disappointment? It’s been 10 years of perseverance, sacrifice and faith that has gotten me through the toughest moments of my life. Disappointment is a tough word to grasp at any age or time especially being the first born, first grandchild and an older sister. Through adolescence we experience many changes, physically, emotionally and mentally. We begin to imagine and dream of all the things that we want to become as we grow into adults. Who would think that at the age of 17, at the peak of your senior year of high school that your dreams wouldn’t go as you planned.
At 17, you don’t really imagine becoming the person that someone will depend on for the next 18 years of their life. I became that person, I am that person. Finding out at the age of 17, at the peak of my senior year of high school that I would become a mother shortly after graduation was never a dream of mine. My dream was to attend college as a student athlete, majoring in Kinesiology, and experiencing all things that a college could have to offer. Funny how life has a way of altering your plans, huh?
November 2012, was when my life changed forever. I had no clue what or how I was going to make it through this but I was never alone, never discouraged and never told that I wouldn’t amount to anything. My parents were disappointed as any parent would be, but they not once left me to figure it out all alone. I will never forget the words of my mother and father who said “Keke, you will go to college and we will help you take care of the baby”. I did just that!
August 19th, 2013 is the day that a blessing was bestowed upon us. Having a child at such a young age was a big challenge, but with the love and support that surrounded me, I knew without a doubt that I would make it through. Nine months seemed like three months, but having to leave your child after only knowing him for five months seemed like six weeks. This is when the true challenge began, and I had no clue how I could possibly leave my child and attend college. This is when sacrifice comes into play.
Sac·ri·fice known as a noun or a verb means, the act of giving up something for something else considered more important; to choose not to do or have something useful or important, in order to have something that is more important. To my parents, my future education and getting to experience college was more important than me staying home to care for my child while only working a job at Subway making minimum wage. My parents sacrificed not only for me but for my future. I sacrificed not only for my child but for our future. January 2014, is when I started my college education at North Carolina Central University and I knew it would only become more challenging. I not only had to adjust to leaving my five month old, but I also had to adjust to an unfamiliar environment, new people and being three and a half hours away from my family.
Per·se·ver·ance a noun meaning, persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. Although this experience was the most difficult thing that I have ever had to go through, I persevered. I pushed myself to meet new people, build new relationships, excel in my courses while balancing being a college student and a parent. I worked hard by working a part time job, taking summer classes to stay caught up so that I could help provide for my little one. By December 2018, I was a college graduate with B.S. in Physical Education from the illustrious North Carolina Central University and in 2023 I completed my M.E. in Special Education from Saint Joseph’s University. With that being said let me introduce you to faith.
Faith is a noun used to describe one's confidence in someone or something; a strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on a spiritual apprehension rather than proof. This definition brings me to a scripture that I hold close to my heart, Psalms 46:5: God is within her, she will not fail; God will help her at break of day. I believe that each being roaming this earth is on their own path/journey with God guiding them each step of the way. With Him I am able to do all things. My hard work has paid off, and I am still holding strong to become the best version of myself that I can be. Despite how you may feel like a disappointment to those you love and the trials and tribulations you face, never give up on your dreams, because if you want them hard enough, they become a reality.
Written by Keyara McKinney, adviser at R-S Central High School.
Keyara McKinney, adviser at R-S Central High School
Keyara McKinney, adviser at R-S Central High School