I grew up in an abusive household and did not really have a parental figure in my life. I did not get out of this abusive household until I was thirteen. I spent many years blaming myself and wondering what made me deserve the abuse that I went through. Eventually, as I got older and had a child of my own, I learned that I was a loveable person. My child is what pushed me to get better and to stay better. I figured if this kid could come into the world and love me, then other people could as well. It took some time, but I did learn to love myself. Anything that I did not like or love, I have worked on changing - for myself and the people around me. Life is so much better now because I know that I did not deserve the abuse, but it did teach me a lot of things and made me want always to be a better person. I do not want to treat anyone the way my abusers treated me. I am happy, thriving, and surviving every day. That is not to say that there are not still bad days, but the good days absolutely outweigh and outnumber the bad days.