My Thanks to You | A Poem by Brett Estes

My life has been full of constant struggles, due to the fact that I was - and still pretty much am - a nonsocial, freakish wreck of emotions, who has the inability to understand others emotion-wise. I took on bullying and loneliness against students from a Swartz Creek preschool with little confidence, thinking that they could be right about me. From the bad remarks they spoke about me, to the shoving, to the rejections, the best I could do was cry. But, my teachers would always be there to give me the hope to continue on without worry, without hesitation. And to those teachers, if you are reading this, I offer my thanks to you.

Through my school years in elementary, I had moved a lot, and my parents had been divorced, which made an impact on how I was in school. I could get upset over the smallest things in life. Then, I met my school counselor, and I remember him cutting out a small, yellow, paper star and pinning it to my uniform on a dress-up day in Second Grade at Woodland Park Academy in Genesee County, Michigan. And to my former counselor, if you are reading this, I offer my thanks to you.

The roughest year of my life was when my mom was hospitalized, and I experienced depression. Still being bullied through my 7th grade year at Woodland Park, things had only gotten tougher for me. I attempted suicide twice, and life was tearing me apart like a lion with its prey. Before long, I met a therapist after my dad checked me in. Through this, I slowly regained confidence in myself and beat depression. And to my former therapist, if you are reading this, I offer my thanks to you.

For most, family is the main source of inspiration. I am the same. My mom, although a former drug addict, has given me tons of hope and chances to thrive at life. My dad, although a scary individual, has given me valuable lessons in life. My siblings, although as troubled as I am, paved a way of life for me. And to them, if you are reading this, I offer my thanks to you.