Hey there my sweet little niece. I just want you to know I'm concerned a great deal about you. Whenever I see you and from what I hear about you, I can see that you're not happy.
ta
I don't know where to start with this but I know that as a 14 year old you should be happy with things going well for you. I understand that things are not that great for you at home and probably at school either. I really wish that I had a way to help you and your sister, but please try to understand things are not that great for a lot of people these days. The whole world pretty much is going through tough times.
ta
There are many many people who don't even have homes. They're trying to survive living on the streets every night. A lot of kids' parents are strung out on drugs and the kids are left to fend for themselves.
ta
If you look around you'll see that practically everyone is struggling today. I'm 64. Perry is 62. There's no way we should be living at home with our mother at these ages. Me, Perry, and your dad should all be living elsewhere, on our own. Jerry should be with you all, but hardly any black families are still together today.
ta
You two are my heart and we are not happy knowing that you all are not happy and enjoying life, but please try to hang in there. Things will get better for you. While you are still in school please try to get as much education as you can. You may not think so but it will definitely benefit you.
ta
I remember a time when I was about 15 and just starting high school. I was very unhappy with my life. I was quiet and shy. I had a mole on my nose, and used to get teased a lot in school. We had just moved to a new neighborhood. I was very depressed. I wanted to end my life One day I was walking down the street with one of my playmates and I told him I was unhappy and how life sucked. I think that maybe the best advice I heard was him saying "No It Don't. Life Is What You Make ItTroy."
ta
Those words have stayed with me my whole life. And they're very true. We have the power to make our lives the way we want it to be. It's up to us. We don't have to accept what's being presented to us. We may have to deal with things for a little while, while we're mentally shaping our lives the way we want it to be.
ta
The thing is, the guy who told me that was younger than me, and knew no more than me, (probably heard it from his mom) but he said it, and it was what I needed to hear at that moment in my life.
ta
Right now you may be hearing your mom and grandmom saying things and acting certain ways and you may have to listen and watch, but you don't have to accept it and let it shape you into being that same kind of person.
ta
Around the age of 15 and 16, I also discovered self-help books in libraries and bookstores. Today many of these books can be found on AMAZON. These kinds of books helped me in discovering different ways in looking at things and improving my viewpoints on life. They kept me from thinking that I had things figured out.
ta
I believe you have lots of time to read and better yourself, instead of trying to figure things out by yourself. If you ever see anything on Amazon that you want to read all you have to do is text me for the money and you can order it, or ask me to order it.
ta
You're my little buddy. I love you and want nothing but good things for you.
ta
Another thing: I know you wasn't taught anything about GOD, but God is real, and you'll find that the happiest and most successful people believe in God and has a personal relationship with Him. (Your uncle Chris and Jazmine for instance, your Grandma Doris, and many, many others) Just look at people who go to church and believe in God. You'll see that they are way more happier than people who don't and are out here trying to figure things out for themselves.
ta
You don't have to belong to any certain religion or go to church even, but to be successful in life everyone has to believe in a higher power, someone to call on for help, guidance, and support. Your relationship with him can be personal, just you and Him. No one else has to know, but let that be your strength, your secret.
ta
God is not a person. Jesus is not a person. It is a spirit, and it is everywhere. Most people pray to God believing Him to be a person, but it is not. It is a spirit. It is the spirit of love and happiness.
ta
For you, a person who hasn't been taught anything about God, getting Him into your life can be as simple as Calling on Him by sincerely saying Dear God, if you are real please come into my life and show me the way. Guide me in all I do. Protect me and show me you are with me at all times. Amen.
ta
Don't just say it once or twice. Say it when you are in your bed at night, like you're really calling on someone to help you. Soon you will discover that you're being helped and led, and life is looking a whole lot better for you.