My grandma, mom, and I were supposed to get matching tattoos when I turned 18. Our little family would be united by more than just blood, but by the ink that would remain on our skin forever. Instead, I got my first tattoo at 2 a.m. in Las Vegas, a couple of months after my 16th birthday. A couple of months after my grandmother died. I will have ¨Love Grandma¨ etched into my skin until I grow old, even then it will honor her struggles, life, and love for me.
When I was in 7th grade my grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer. Strangers such as nurses and doctors still reach out today to check in on me. This is how my goals were molded. In the hospital where my grandma fought for her life, at school where teachers and classmates supported me, and at home where my mom had the weight of the world on her shoulders. My life goal is to find success by helping others. I don't exactly know how yet, maybe through medicine, volunteering, or even creating a foundation. Another goal I have is to express gratitude towards myself. I can only help others after I take care of myself. This has inspired me to become a psychiatrist. This way I could address the mental health issues of people in need. It also means I’d be able to help break the stigma of mental health issues in communities like my own.
Part of taking care of myself has been giving back to my community. Through organizing multiple book drives, food drives, and donation drives I’ve felt immense pride and gratitude for being able to help my community. Although it may be hard at times to balance school and outside activities, helping the people around me has made up for it.
Being compassionate means comforting people in times of need, stranger or friend. It means going to college and. using the resources available to me to educate, inform, and help others. It means not taking anything for granted and living life with the intent to make it easier for others. I’ve never though of myself as a compassionate person. I’ve always just been Kaydee. The same Kaydee who is as raised in a single parent home and low income community. The one who learned at a young age the value of being kind to others. The one who still loves life with that value in mind. Kindness is a blessing, and I hope that all my future accomplishments will aid me in helping people at a larger scale. Compassion is kindness, and in our society w indeed tha tin orderto advance as a wholein an equitable manner. Through a foundation? A scholarship? Support groups? Who knows? I honestly don’t yet, but I promise myself and the world I’m not done spreading kindesss yet.
|
