My story is about why it is worth continuing and that we are not alone in what we experience within ourselves. It’s about growing up while still being a child. About traveling to the other side of the world and finding oneself, no matter where you are. About humor, forgiveness, and honesty. About the importance of honest, respectful communication. And about the influence of the present on the past and future. I felt lost, alone, and abandoned, then again strong, full of energy and joy for life, even enlightened and at peace with myself and the whole world. I experienced crashes into the darkest depths of my being, diagnosed depression, uncontrolled eating behavior, and often the painful desire not to live anymore. I share memories, experiences, and accounts of my life so far. In the hope that as many people as possible will be inspired not to give up, to look hopefully towards the future, and to remember who they truly are. Because this life is a gift and it wants to be lived.