Me in 500 words

Five adopted children. It seems a little overboard, doesn't it?

I became an aunt at 13 years old.

By 17, I had four nephews and a one niece, each under the age of 10.

The rest of the family worried for my oldest brother. Most people can barely handle one adopted child. Five is certainly pushing it. 

It didn't matter.

These children are the best thing to ever happen to me. To my family.

They teach me to be strong in darkness. 

They teach me to be joyful in chaos. 

They even taught me what I want to do with my life. 

Similar to most other first year students, I had no idea what I wanted to with my life. I drifted from idea to idea through the next few years. 

From human resources to journalism and many things in between.

The truth is my goal in life is extremely cliché. I want to make a positive difference in the world. In people's lives.

This is a piece of my puzzle I have always known. Similarly, it is a piece of my puzzle I have always doubted. 

I often wondered if it was even possible. After all, I am just one woman. 

I work hard. I study often. I am kind and compassionate. 

I can be the ideal candidate for numerous job positions. This fact does not mean anything to me if I can't make a difference somewhere, somehow.

I wrote a 20 plus page research paper junior year. 

Who has fun doing something like that? I do, that's who. 

I rambled to my mother about the process for about 30 minutes before she stopped me. She informed me law school includes a lot of the things I did in this process. We moved on. 

Well, she moved on. I spent the next few months enduring internal turmoil. 

Why had I ever counted becoming a lawyer out? Was I being ridiculous? I am a year away from graduation. I am studying communications. Why think about this now?

Could this make my dream possible?

The dominoes fell rapidly from that point.

I am going to become a lawyer. 

Not because the money is solid. 

Not because people will respect me more. 

These are valuable, yes. They are not the main reasons I made this decision.

Alex, Christian, Gianna, Adrian, and Ayden. They are the reasons. 

Alex was returned to his abusive home at least three times before he found my family. Christian, Gianna, and Adrian lived in a car during the coldest part of winter.

They are the reasons.

I will play my part, however small, in changing the lives of the innocent and vulnerable.

I wanted to be a journalist to give a voice to the those without one. As an attorney, I will give them not only a voice, but a hand. 

For me, there is no longer a question if this is the right path for my future. I am embracing my cliché dreams.

My future is bright.