We See You

Domonick Wade, Staff Writer
November 1, 2022

Hi. My name is Domonick Wade and I’m here to tell you about my journey in life, my ups and downs as a teenager, the moments where I felt like I was alone and didn’t have anyone in my corner to run to. Growing up I had a lot of built-up emotions. When I got to the age of twelve I became more verbal and aware of the things that was happening around me. I felt as a teenager I wasn’t being seen or heard so I would lock myself in my room, not speak unless being spoken to, trying to ignore and hide from my mom and her boyfriend because we had a really strained relationship.

I started to change. I became angry. I felt like my mom was choosing him over me. I felt unimportant and neglected so I started hanging out with people who didn’t share my best intentions. I would fight, smoke, punch holes in the wall, picking on my little siblings just because of my hurt. I wanted everyone to see this change and question why I was acting this way.

A little time went by and me and my mom had a big disagreement. I had to be sent to Texas to live with my uncle because my attitude and disrespect was just getting out of hand. I would ditch school out there, drink, pop pills, all because I wanted someone to blame for me being the way I was. A  little later down the road I got sent to Atlanta because I was starting to get in trouble at my school in Texas with the police, so I left Texas and moved in with my dad. My mom’s and my relationship wasn’t there yet for me to come back home.

Everywhere I went I can say Atlanta had the biggest effect on me. I was living with someone who was hurting just like me, but in their own way, and I can say life humbled me. My dad was the perfect example of who I was going to become. He was mad at every little thing, tried to throw it in my face that my family didn’t want me. It was just a horrible transition, but that’s what opened my eyes. I told myself I would not be this person anymore. I cannot keep allowing my past to intercept my future or I would forever be unhappy and not at peace and bitter!

I had to make a change for my sake and my life so my life in Atlanta came to an end and I moved back home with my mom. She saw what type of situations I was growing through with my dad and took the initiative to get me out of that unhealthy environment which I’m forever grateful for, so I told myself Hold the vision, trust the process.

One thing I had to learn was patience and learn how to take baby steps with my Attitude. With the way I say things, how I make people feel, I started taking other people’s feelings into consideration. I kept myself busy, did yoga.  If someone tried to get me out of my character I distanced myself from others so I wouldn’t react and hurt myself and others. 

Basically, it’s so important to be level-headed and to keep a cool even when we’re not in the wrong. One day you’ll soon learn every action doesn’t deserve a reaction. Now I’m an honor roll student with a 3.4 GPA average and still working on my peace of mind day by day. Times are gonna get hard, but let perseverance be your engine and hope be your fuel.