Now that the dust has settled and we’ve elected our President for the next 4 years, we can focus on a few of the reasons we care so much about elections — our children and their future. With permission, from a student, the following captures the essence of what some of our children battle as they struggle to become adults:

My story is a journey. I lost myself, battled through inner turmoil and finally found the version of me I always wanted. Growing up I felt like an outcast. The kid who was awkward, shy and didn’t look like everyone else. I felt alone in the world.

I stopped eating, stopped caring about myself, stopped caring if I lived or died. I was at a point where death felt like my only escape. I had letters written to my loved ones but sitting in my room one night, ready to end it all, my baby brother came in, gave me a hug and whispered in my ear “I love you Sissy!” He saved me that day, and that is when I decided I would never, no matter how bad it got, give up.

The thought of people who loved me finding me dead changed something in me. Some time later, I went to a church camp, and met who would become one of my best friends and I started to feel better. I started eating, taking care of myself, exercising and my focus shifted to caring about the people I loved. Even though I was still in a dark place, the people around me became my biggest motivation to keep going.

I was told during my childhood, that being skinny and tall made me a natural born athlete and that I should pursue sports. After a few years of doing sports and hating every minute of it I decided I wanted to do something I was passionate about and chose art instead and consequently, the “natural born athlete” was a “waist of height,” “a weak string bean,” “a bag of bones,” and a “disappointment.”

I was diagnosed with severe depression, anxiety and ADD. Suddenly I was getting pumped full of pills to supposedly help. I was angry, scared and confused. Everyone was trying to help, and that was the one thing I didn’t want. I wanted to fix myself and every day was a fight with my parents and my teachers and I pushed everyone away.

I was told that my dyslexia, my ADD, my depression, my anxiety and the way I looked, would rule my life, would be my weaknesses, for the rest of my life,and I couldn’t do much. But after a few years something happened and I decided that I didn’t need to fit this “standard.” I had control of who I wanted to become.

Soon, I wasn’t this string bean anymore, I gained weight and muscle. The dead sunken eyes I had for so many years faded away and became the eyes of a happy girl I accepted and loved. I could see the joy and the bliss coming back to me.

These past few years of my life have been somber, peaceful and joyful. After losing myself for so many long years I’ve found myself again. I look toward the future with joy, a smile on my face, and hopefully someone who my brother can look “up” to!

Looking back on my journey, I realize that life is not just about where we end up but about the strength we build through every experience. I’ve come to understand that my challenges; depression, anxiety and personal setbacks, do not define me; they have shaped me. Learning to embrace who I am, flaws and all, has been the most important step in reclaiming myself.

Though the girl I once was may have been lost for a time, she’s back, stronger and filled with purpose. As I move forward, I am excited for the future, knowing that the person I have become is someone I can be proud of and, most importantly, I’ve learned that life is not about being perfect, it’s about becoming someone you can love and accept so you can move forward.

Remember those who struggle with becoming who we were meant to be as we enter the Holiday Season.

Lance Scranton is a career educator and has made his home in Moffat County for the past 26 years. He offers his views and opinions as part of the ongoing conversation about our community, country and world. Reach him at lance.scranton@consultant.com.