I wrote a letter to a friend and I thought I would share part of it here:

I would even go so far as to say part of me is even a little proud of the life I have lived, the tribulations I have endured, the fact that I have overcome so much and I have never, ever completely surrendered to those who abused me. There is this little grain of hope deep inside of me that keeps me alive and fighting to make it. I never pulled the trigger when I had the gun in my mouth because there was a tiny voice that whispered tomorrow will be better. My motto for life has been “survive at all costs.” However, I have done more than just survive. I have managed to become a thoughtful, compassionate, loving soul.