Hookie: My Pursuit Of Creativity

Once as a little kid I planted a lollipop stick in my backyard with the aspiration of it to grow into a lollipop tree. I awoke the next morning to a magical delight. Intertwined in the branches of tree sprung a plethora of mouth watering snacks. I collected the lollipops off the tree and placed them delicately into my basket. I grew up in an enchanted bubble of never ending magic consisting of anything from mansion pillow forts to receiving tiny handwritten notes from the fairies. My mom formed a childhood which allowed my imagination to run wild and it helped foster unbridled creativity. Growing up in this environment formulated the idea that I should reach for the stars and would be able to accomplish anything I set my mind to. During this time in my life I took chances and wasn’t afraid to make mistakes because of the cushion of childhood magic. Life, however, can take the opposite fork in the road at any unsuspecting time and that's when the true story begins.
Joy filled my body from top to bottom with the notion of heading to a fancy lunch with my mom. With the weather being so complacent we decided to walk around the park prior to lunch. I distinctly remember her sitting me down on a bench, with warm sun on my back, as she explained to me that she and my dad’s marriage had dissipated and they were divorcing. I nodded along while the words slipped by me, and off into the world. At the time I did not understand the impacts of divorce. However, as time ticked forward they became increasingly apparent in my life. In the time between 2008 and 2011, my mom became the sole provider of our household, while trying to manage two growing children. Even though money had grown tight, my mom provided a strong moral compass that helped and continues to impact my motivation in life. This cultivated a strong work ethic that remains present in my daily