When I was 16 two people I considered my sisters hacked a social media site of mine and sent out my personal information to several guys. My 16 year old self had a very hard time coping with this. I honestly could not believe my cousins, my OWN family would do this to me...we had a stupid fight. During that time in my life I would have done absolutely anything for them. This changed the way I saw people...I closed myself off from everyone and became an emotional wreck. I slowly lost friends because I did not want to be around people. I look back at those the nights I cried by myself, the hours I spent in therapy because of attempted suicide, and all the good people I closed myself off from. The word I chose to put on my key was strength because I survived. 5 years later I am not lonely anymore, I have amazing people in my life. There are times I look back and wonder what I did to deserve what they did to me and to this day my cousins can't give me a clear reason as to why they did that. It takes incredible strength to let go of the past that inhibits your present and future. But I did it. Recently on a medical brigade to Panama I met a girl who told me she wanted to be a doctor but didn't believe she could because of her own circumstances. Without a second thought I gave her my strength key so she could find the strength within herself to overcome whatever is holding her back. I will never forget the look on her face and the hug I received after giving her the key. Without sounding cliche...it is moment I will cherish and remember for the rest of my life. Thank you The Giving Keys.
