Triumphing over Tragedy a veterans Journey ( Part 1)

Only 1% of the US population joins the military. I did it and didn't look back to see my old life in the rearview mirror. I was declaring my way in life, and no one would tell me anything. My mom thought I was destined to go to college. I intended to attend college, but multiple reasons stood in my way. For starters, my mom couldn't even help herself at the time. She could barely keep up with her own bills. I paid for all my senior events and my graduation gear. I worked two jobs starting at 16. I had just turned 17 my senior year in high school. I knew I didn't want to be like my mom or her family. I wanted to go to college but needed to be realistic about how it would get paid.

My mother lived in a carefree state of mind. It would work itself out in the long run. I knew better even at 17, almost 18. The only training I had so far was JROTC. I decided to join the Army Reserves, and they would pay for school. My mom hated the idea of me leaving home during a war. I knew better over the years of sometimes going days without light or water. When my dad died, my mom thought investing in her family was a good idea. My dad's life insurance left her with 100k; less than a year, it was gone. She took about 25K and gave it to her older brother. She said that he had a business idea, and she had faith in him. Well, that didn't pan out so great for her. The business never opened, and my mom was always broke. The rest of the money her family came from out of the woodwork. With their hands out for help, my mom gave it to them. I learned quick my mom's ideas could have been better.