Once upon a time there lived a girl. A sweet beautiful baby girl who gurgled and smiled. Not a single person could hate that little girl. She drew people to her and her eyes sparkled with the promise of a bright future and a heart of gold…

At least that’s what I’m told.

Now she’s all grown up and baby she’s unrecognizable. That girl with the golden eyes has found a streak of rebellion in her heart and a voice louder than any roar. She’s tough and kick ass…

At least that’s what I tell myself.

In one year I’ve learnt more about myself than in the full twenty years I’ve been alive. Putting my thoughts to paper and my fingers to keyboard I’ve uncovered a whole different side to my soul. Maybe it’s fate or maybe it’s coincidence…. Either way, I have learnt lessons that changed my entire perspective on life.

In one year I learnt that one discovery changes the course of history. One moment can make or break a friendship or relationship. One word can make a persons day. One hug can fix a broken heart. One look can tell a million stories. One picture can force you to see the pain of millions. One person can take the lives of billions.

It took one illness to knock me out for one month and one moment to break my spirit completely. And then in one message my best friend saved me from myself and in one hug my mother glued all my pieces together. In one moment I learnt the true meaning of pain and in another I was shown what pure joy looks like.

In one year, we as a nation saw pain, shock, international horror, joy, draught and most importantly triumph. We saw the triumph of students who won a battle. We saw the promise of the leaders of the future. We saw hope. We saw history being rewritten.

Personally, I uncovered myself. I realised my limits. I realised who I am and what I intend to do with myself. I realised I can be as free as I see myself because I am my only barrier.

In one year…

You’ve seen my thoughts, heard my voice, followed my adventure and taken trips of sadness, pain and overwhelming joy with me.

In one year I became someone you know…

So, this is me saying thank you for silently helping me navigate this year.

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Yours For More Years To Come,

Broke Bella