11/25/2007.

 

6 years ago today.

 

It's hard to believe it's been 6 years since that date, or even the year 2007, as the scars left by the twists and turns of that year have been etched by flame into my memory.

 

11/25/2007 is a much happier day, though; it was the high point of an otherwise traumatic year.

 

Today, I'm celebrating my family: NJ and Mickey.

 

They saved my life in a sense, 6 years ago today.

 

Before you can understand the true meaning of today, at least in my life, you must rewind back to March 26, 2007.

 

That day still haunts me. Just seeing the day "March 26" causes me to grow tense, and a cold feeling works its way to the bottom of my spine.

 

I can feel it happening right now, as I'm typing this, getting ready to share the details of the day that derailed my entire being.

 

It had rained for most of the day; I was still a 4th grader, at the tender age of 10 years old.

 

I was raised by my father alone, in a small one-bedroom apartment just outside of town; looking back, it wasn't as happy as I remember it, but I didn't care.

 

I had always wanted to be like my father, even before March 26, 2007.

 

The rain had let up as we were getting out of school. My father was always right on time to pick me up, and if he were to be late, he told me beforehand.

 

I wasn't worried though; that man loved me more than any father could love his son. I'm still proud to say that, too.

 

He was going to be there.

 

It was almost 4 o'clock. One of the teachers had stayed with me, so I wouldn't have to stand outside in the weather. It had started raining again in my extended wait. She kept asking me where my father was, and I had no answer other than "I know he'll come. He probably has a good reason for being late."

 

A reason as good as any, actually.

 

He had died in a car crash, coming from work to pick me up from school. He hydroplaned due to the downpour that had come crashing down earlier that day, and flipped his car several times.

 

He was dead at the site of the accident.

 

I was picked up by a CPS worker and taken to Bonham, the county seat of Fannin County, Texas, still unaware of my father's early demise. I talked to a lady, and asked her about my dad. She never told me what had happened during that car ride.

 

When I got to the CPS office, I was informed of his death.

 

There was no sympathy, there was no warmth;

 

Just a few words.

 

"Your dad died today in a car wreck, we're looking for your nearest living relative."

 

...That was it. Word for word, the statement that's branded into my memory...the statement that repeats itself to me, almost everyday.

 

...I was broken in half. My knees were weak, my stomach had sunk to my feet, taking my heart with it. I'd never felt so numb in my life...

 

...imagine yourself having been put on laughing gas at the dentist's office...

 

...except without the high. That's how I felt at that moment.

 

That feeling is also branded into my memory.

 

...the tears I wept didn't stop the bleeding, though. It only got worse for me. on the day of March 26, 2007.

 

My nearest living relative was my mother.

 

I'd never met her in person before; the only time I had ever heard from her was through the birthday card she'd send me in the mail every year.

 

...I didn't understand her then, and I probably never will.

 

...it was dark out. I'd be lying if I gave an exact time, but my estimate was between 9:30 and 10:30, p.m.

 

One of the ladies who worked there (Not the ice queen who broke the news to me) had stayed there with me after the office had closed, and we talked some, and she informed me my mother was on her way.

 

My mom, again, had gotten there very late. I saw her for the first time that day.

 

She was a short woman; I got my physical attributes from her. Dark Brown Hair, Dark Brown Eyes, can get tan just by being hot in tempature...

 

I was so nervous...but she was my mom...I thought I was going to go with her.

 

It didn't happen.

 

She got there and instantly began working on paperwork. I tried talking to her, but she kept giving me short, to the point, one word answers.

 

I got ready to go with her after she was done with the paperwork.

 

I tried making my way out the door with her, but I was stopped by the lady who had stayed with me for the past few hours.

 

My mother had signed her rights to me over to the state.

 

...I stood there, and watched her walk out the door.

 

I haven't seen her since.

 

I lost both of my parents that day, on March 26, 2007.

 

I started going from Foster Family to Foster Family. It wasn't a happy time in my life, and I can hardly remember the people I stayed with...I didn't like them, though.

 

I wanted my dad.

 

It was November 25th, 2007 when I went to a family in the town I grew up; Leonard, Texas.

 

They where an older couple, who'd never had any children of their own. They were so...

 

eccentric...

 

...they had a lot of money. They had been married for almost 30 years, but maintained a strictly platonic relationship; they would often be aware of relationships outside of their marriage, and supportive. They don't share bedrooms, or anything.

 

It's such a strange concept, marrying someone out of being such good friends...

 

...anyway, we clicked. I enjoyed being around them. They're both such kind and considerate people...and they loved me, too.

 

I was legally adopted by them 2 weeks later.

 

I lie about my relationship with them, though; I tell my friends IRL they're my grandparents, even though we have no blood relation whatsoever.

 

I dunno why...I guess it just feels like they're my actual family.

 

Without them...I wouldn't be who I am today.

 

November 25th, 2007.

 

I was saved that day.