Who
Am I?
Candace
Marie Pudder
That
is my name, but who am I really? I am more than just my birth certificate. I am
a girl, I am a fighter, I am a believer, I am a hero, I am an educator, and
mostly I am important. Everyone has to have their own self-concept and that means
that they have their own beliefs of themselves and others. Are you empathetic?
Are you honest? Are you beautiful?
I
grew up feeling life I wasn’t important or beautiful. I suffered from
self-harming and depression. But I overcame it, I healed. I began to realize
that my looks didn’t make me, I made myself. I worked hard in school, I made
goals, I ate healthy and exercised, and I felt began to feel comfortable in my
own skin. I stopped comparing myself to others and began to think of what I
could do to better myself and what made me important. No, I am not perfect and
I do still sometimes think, “Wow, I wish I had thin, straight hair,” or “I wish
I was that smart.” But I realize that those girls could probably be wishing
they had some of my traits. I have come to realize that I am Candace Pudder and
that is all I want to be. (Well, unless I get married and change my last nameJ).
Why
Am I Proud of Myself?
1. I
am head strong and do not let anyone tell me I deserve less than I do.
2. I
am independent, I am 20 and I control my own life and chose my own paths.
3. I
have a beautiful Angel up in Heaven that calls me “mommy.”
4. I
am working towards my dream of being a childcare owner and am about to graduate
with my associate’s degree.
5. I
have had a very rough life and an unimaginable childhood but I made it own on
my two feet and am grateful for everything I have now.
What
Do I Believe In?
1. I
believe in second (or third, or fourth, maybe fifth) chances. I am not perfect,
I do not get everything right the first time. I try not to hold grudges because
if I did, I wouldn’t have anyone in my life. The people I love the most have
put my down but I know they weren’t intentionally trying to hurt me.
2. I
believe in miracles. Yes, I have suffered through an abusive childhood, death
of my father at the age of nine (suicide), my mother having Ovarian Cancer,
being homeless, losing my baby, and now I am very low-income but I will make it
through. I believe that if I do good in the world and continue to work toward
my goals I will have a bright future with a healthy baby and a comfortable
life.
3. I
believe that actions speak louder than words. I can tell someone that I care
about them but who do they know I really mean it? I show my best friend I care
about her by listening to her, bringing her twix (her favorite candy bar) when
she’s sad, I watch her daughters when she needs me, I have moved her into my
home while she was going through a crisis, and I am just there for her, even
when she’s not necessarily there for me.
4. I
believe in the importance of Early Childhood Education because during the first
three years of a child’s life their brain is developing the most and I am the
person that helps shape that child’s entire life. I teach them necessary
communication skills, such as using their words. I am also their routine,
comfort and educator. I feel like I am important.
5.
I believe that
everything is going to be OK.
