By Kerise M

I was always fascinated about extreme, abstract art. I like being different, so I do things differently.

          So, growing up I was sexually molested on more than one account. Would I call it rape? No! Because I honestly did not know what was happening. Well it did happen, but it took a toll on me when I started high school. I was constantly depressed and there was this gigantic urge to commit suicide, which I tried, countless of times.

         

I felt like my parents hated me, especially my mother. When I started college in 2014 it got worse, the triggers were more frequent. A lot of money was spent to fix me because I had to tell somebody. I became addicted to little white pills just to stay afloat, just to stay alive, all because I wanted to feel loved.

          I was at a crossroad. I could not allow my happiness to be dependent on pills. So, I have decided to stop! There is greatness within me, and I needed to embrace that. I documented every day that I did not take the pills. How I felt each day and you know what? I am doing great. I needed to love myself first; I needed to have that inner strength.  NO PILLS from June 5, 2017.

         

That’s when I decided I needed a tattoo to remind me of how strong I am and where I am coming from. The butterfly with the semicolon signifies that life continues. The lion signifies strength and I just love Africa – I will travel Africa.

So, every time something happens that trigger suicidal thoughts, with one look in the mirror, I would say, “Girl you are Strooonnng!!!!”.