Jasmin+S.

=//Since the age of three I've grown up without a mother. My dad is a single parent and is as grateful to have us as we are to have him. My family has helped my brother Andrew, my sister Leila,and myself with all our needs. We've grown up around them and they're the one's who have taught us and guided us as substitutes for my mother. I love them so much! Without my family I don't know what I would do. They are my life. Without my mother around, my extended family has taught me, and guided me in the right direction."My family is my strength."//   **//On January 22, 2009 my house caught on fire and burnt to the ground. That day I felt weak and that everything at that moment was meaningless. I cried the whole night and finally fell asleep at 5:00 in the morning. I woke up to my family in my bedroom with soup. My grandparent s and dad were what made my day better. They gave me the strength and hope to get me through the first few days of the accident. I then realized that I needed to be strong for Andrew,and Leila. As a family we overcame this obstacle that we were challenged with and we are thankful because it made us stronger and closer.//** MY family is **//easy to talk to, and very supportive. I don't know where I would be today without them. I am like a mother to my younger siblings. They look up to me, they ask me for advice, and they listen to me. I don't know how many fourteen year old teenagers would be strong enough mentally, and emotionally to do what I do each morning for them. I wake up everymorning to my brother and sister asking me where their other sneaker is or if there is anymore toothpaste or even what they are having for breakfast.Its hard waking up to chaose but I enjoy it as long as my brother and sister are satisfied.I probably wouldn't have turned out this strong if my family was not as supportive. My family means so much to me, I would give my life for any of them. I am so happy that my younger siblings and I have turned out to be strong and independent individuals thanks to my dad and the rest of my family.//** **//I believe that my family is my everything. I am grateful that i have them. In many cases not everyone has a family to be loved by and supported by. I love my family and they are my strength in life.//**= = = ="Other things may change us,but we start and end as family"=