Hardships, Trials, Miracles, and What I’ve Learned: How Nine Star Helped Me Rebuild
Contributed by Trina Bergo, Student at Nine Star Adult Education and Employment Services
Have you ever wondered how your experiences in life have impacted you? I have had many experiences in my twenty-seven years of life; some, I believe, are worth sharing with others. I like to think of my experiences as a series of trials. In this essay, I will be sharing some of my own hardships, miracles, and even some advice that could be helpful.
A lot of my struggles were self-induced and are more than likely relatable to others. As an adolescent, my parents got a divorce. My life at home became unstable. I was rebellious and (in my own way of acting out) I was skipping a lot of school. I wasn’t taking my education seriously at all. Of course, this did come with consequences. My grades dropped. I found that on the days I did attend, I felt completely lost in the curriculum. I struggled throughout middle school, and I played a lot of catch-up in high school. Despite my struggles in my childhood, there were still miracles that happened too.
Miracles that have taken place in my life have changed who I am for the better, and I also believe they saved me. When I was twenty-five years old, I found out I was pregnant. I was in complete shock. My world felt as if it was turned upside down. Everything changed. My goals and my focus completely shifted, and it happened quickly. My first ultrasound revealed that not only was I pregnant, I was expecting multiples! I had so many different emotions. Motherhood has been a miracle in my life in a lot of ways. I’m not the same woman I used to be, and I’ve grown as a person so much. It has brought me stability and given me tremendous purpose. I do believe my sons are my greatest blessings, and they are miracles in my life. They give me a reason to keep going no matter what. I do have some good advice from my experiences that I’ve had along the way.
Throughout my hardships and miracles, the best advice that I can give is this: if you are struggling with anything in life, do not give up. I will also say to take school seriously. Education is important for your future. It’s never too late to get an education. My advice for anyone who has children or is going to have children is that although it may be scary, it is absolutely worth it. Having kids can be such a challenge. Taking care of another human being is a lot of responsibility, but it can be so rewarding. Do what works for you, find a rhythm, and maybe even establish a routine. Prioritize time for yourself. I will also say that it will come naturally, but do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
Through my journey in life, I’ve hit many bumps in the road, and there were a lot of learning curves for me. I have struggled, I’ve experienced miracles, and I’ve learned many lessons as well. I hope that in sharing my own experiences, it could help someone who is currently struggling. I hope that you realize that we’re all human, and that you are not alone.
Visit ninestar.org for more info.