Haley's+Page

**Haley's Page**
There have been countless things that have made me into the person who you see today. To start at the beginning I feel that a lack of a father figure greatly influenced my life because as a child I would constantly be searching for the man of my life. I also like to blame all my relationship problems on the fact I personally have never witnessed a fully functioning family. A more positive force would be my grandparents. They raised me to be the loving and respectable person I am today; they always know how to keep me humble while still spoiling their only grandchild. Additionally, they got me involved into church which is my third force. However, in past years, I left the church that I grew up in because of unethical things. I feel that this is a strong forth force because it let me know that standing up for what you believe is never easy, and comes with pain/consequences. To elaborate, I lost my youth director that year. Rob, was such a heavy influence on my life, I was shattered when he was laid off, and I feel that's what made me make some of the bad decision in my life. I miss him dearly. Mistakes happen, and sometimes one can make the same one multiple times, eventually learning. My sixth force is accepting the mistakes I've made in my life and moving on, knowing to never do that again. A seventh force would be my group of friends, though I'm the joke of the group I know they care about me and will help me if I need it. Believe it or not, I adore dancing. I don't mean the dirty club dancing but actual ballet or jazz. I've been taking classes since I was 3 years old, and it has been a big part of my life ever since. Another hobby I have is playing my flute. Though I do not plan on majoring in music in college it has been a great experience and has helped me gain countless friendships. Finally, the most forceful force in my life is my mother. It has been just her and I as long as I can remember, though I have been envious of my peers with their "ideal" families, and "non-existent" struggles, I have learned that I am who I am because of it being just my mom and I. I would want it no other way when looking back on my few years. I love her with everything I have.

Haley, I cannot say that I understand what it's like to not have a father growing up, but I can relate when you said you've "never witnessed a fully functioning family." My parents were divorced when I was younger, and prior to that they were always fighting with one another. My grandparents were a possitive force for me too, like you my grandparents keep me humble. As for mistakes, I agree, just because you make a mistake once it doesn't mean you won't make it again. Well done, your paragraph was done well, and I found that we actually have some things in common with one another. ~Shandelle

Haley, I think that anyone who knows you can see the strong relationship that you have with your mom, which is just as good if not better than some with "ideal" families. Also I think it's great how your grandparents and your church are such important forces in your life. Dealing with pain and undesirable events in life is always tough, but it's the positive forces in your life that help get you through them. I liked your seventh force, of course, and know that it is all out of love and we care about you a lot! Jessica Smith

Haley, I think it's really interesting that you wrote that your lack of a father was a force, and I agree with Jess in that your relationship with your mother definitely makes up for that. It was also kind of different to see that you listed both negative and positives in your life - like the trouble within your church - instead of all positives and then the mistakes you've made. It's great to see that you acknowledge both sides of the spectrum and take the best out of every situation. Allison Zito

Haley, I really liked how you used both negative and positive forces. I never really thought about it that way but that shows deep thought. But I do agree on the fact that you and your mom have such a good relationship together. You two are so close and I agree with you that that has helped with the lack of a father figure. You put a lot of thought and emotion into and some of us will never know what it feels like to not have a father figure. But yet you still are always brite and in a good mood. Good job.

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck




A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini