I've been trying to be much more intentional about stopping to appreciate where life has brought me from and to. As I add experiences to my rolodex I can't help but think back on the boxes I've broken out of.

**Trigger Warning**

I grew up in a broken and abusive home. My father died by suicide before I was born. My mother used me as a trophy for her own ego, bragging about my accomplishments while simultaneously murdering my spirit every chance she got and depriving me of a relationship with my Dad (step-father).

I left New Orleans when I went off to college. I knew I had to leave so I could experience a different way of living outside of my upbringing…