But I wanted to respond to it and say, "Girl, I know how you feel". I feel like my efforts and achievements have been overlooked by my family and sometimes I sense a little hostility about my path. For the past 11 years, Ive lived 2000 miles away from my family.
I am gradually getting over the fact that my cousins had babies at 15, 16 years old and they were supported with baby clothes, maturnity clothes and food. I was 15 in the 12th grade with honors and got nothing!!
Where was my support or pat on the back???
There was no one in my family that could help me with school work or college prep.
But, I guess my family knew how to help my cousins that were pregnant or in jail.
Almost every Christmas holiday I spend tons of time and money traveling to see my family. Almost everytime I visit, me and my mother get into some feud. Large or small!!
Almost everytime my little sister who is 14 year oold now, acts like a crazy hormonal back talking teen!!
My mom accuses me of thinking I'm better than everyone else. (haha) Only if she knew!!
She says its how I talk, how I look, dress, my UCLA status and the fact that I live in Los Angeles.
Its really too bad that my family doesnt share the same feeling I have about my success.
I told both of them that next year, I may make plans to go somewhere that I want to go or they can make plans to visit me.
2 comments:
Tameka,
This is awesome writing-well not that your family is so distant about your true glow, but that you are one with yourself even through these insane times and that you keep moving on! So cool for sharing. You are wonderful not many are like you. Just keep on moving! Isn't that a song? Oh yeah! Soul to Soul baby!
Hey Tameka!
I understand what you're saying about your family projecting their insecurities on you. It really is a shame because, of course, they're missing out on the opportunity to get to know you.
Something even more or at least equally unfortunate is that they're stifling your opportunity to be a role model to your younger family members. Your cousins and sisters are being taught to not dream or aspire beyond teenage pregnancy because they'll be ostracized by the family.
Have you ever tried talking to them about "the elephant in the room?" Perhaps it is as simple as they don't know how to support you. Maybe they feel that you've gone so far beyond what they ever dreamed into uncharted territory that you don't need their help or support. It's hard though because you can't fix other people's insecurities. Nor is it you job to do so.
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