The Wager

I remember painting in my childhood bedroom just praying for a chance to become “somebody.”

Not for praise or attention.

I just didn’t want to feel like a loser anymore.

Most days I felt like a nobody.

Just that fat kid in middle school who dreaded lunch because getting bullied became part of the routine.

How was I supposed to tell my parents I didn’t make it into nursing school?

How was I supposed to look myself in the mirror and be okay with that?

God puts people in your life to redirect you when you need it.

I’m thankful for the football coaches who taught me I could be someone for once, even if only for a couple hours on Friday nights.

I’m grateful for the thoughts God put in my head… that I could get out.

That I could become someone different.

Someone stronger.

That I could escape.

All I had to do was start.

Start anything and refuse to quit.

Thank you God for helping me, and for teaching me how to live.

It’s my first time livin, ya know.

I’ve been working on this piece for 5 months, started June 2025.