What experiences in life helped you grow the most?

A Journey of Growth: From Vegas to Home

Life has a way of pushing us into growth, sometimes gently, sometimes with force. When my daddy passed on February 8, 2016, I thought I was prepared. But grief doesn’t follow a script. Shortly after his passing, we had to move from the last place we lived with him, and that’s when I made a bold decision—I set out for a new life in Las Vegas, NV.

Spring of 2017, I packed up my Hooptie, Poopsie, spent my last night with My Peace, and hit the road toward a fresh start. I had dreams, a vision to build on the work I was already doing in the arts. But the moment I arrived in Vegas, reality hit—this journey was going to test me in ways I never could have imagined.

Vegas taught me one thing quickly: I couldn’t depend on anyone but myself. The struggle was real, the hustle even more so. At times, I faced hunger, choosing to keep a roof over my head rather than spend money on food. Gas was a luxury, so I stayed home when I could. Yet, even in the midst of hardship, I found beauty—sunrises in the pool, breathtaking sunsets, and even the wild energy of the monsoons.

God was with me. Prayer became my lifeline. And somehow, even in the darkest times, I found moments to be thankful.

Then came 2020. The world shut down, and I found myself facing not just a pandemic but a personal health scare—a lump in my breast. Fear and uncertainty gripped me as I navigated this crisis alone. Scheduled surgery was canceled when I caught COVID, and when I tried to reschedule, the hospital demanded $3,000 upfront. With no way to pay, I had no choice but to let go of fear and focus on surviving.

I had no safety net—my daddy was gone, and I had to grow up in a way I never had before. The isolation of COVID forced me into deep self-reflection. I faced my pain, my fears, and my truth. But even in that solitude, God sent me angels—unexpected allies, my coworkers, who showed up when I least expected it.

By 2023, it was time to go home. My Poopsie was serviced and packed, and my coworkers ensured I had what I needed for the journey. As I drove away from Vegas, I felt the weight of that city lift from my soul. And when I saw the first glimpse of water and green trees, I knew—I was heading home.

Returning to Seattle meant being there for My Peace as he battled cancer. I was grateful to be by his side. But life had another challenge waiting for me—a physical injury followed by one of the coldest winters, where my arthritis brought pain I’d never known before.

This next chapter of growth taught me just how deeply my emotional and mental health affected my physical well-being. Seeking a mental health counselor became a turning point. I embraced meditation, breathwork, and mindfulness in a way I never had before.

I’m still healing, still growing. I’m not the same woman who left Seattle in 2017. Life forced me to step up for myself, to quiet the noise, to move differently. I talk less and reflect more. I embrace the journey, even the challenges.

Because sometimes, life will force us to grow. And it’s much easier when we surrender to the process rather than fight it with anger and despair.

LadyFlava of LadyFlavaNews

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