Hero

by Abbey Lynn Dyke
(Muskegon, Michigan)

Back when I was about 13 years old, I was struggling with depression and diagnosed with bipolar disorder! This was a very scary time for me, because of the simple fact that I was a teenager and what would others think of me! It was a time when I struggled with friendships and trying to fit in. I was in 8th grade at this time and that year everyone was trying to be in the "POPULAR" crowd!

In January, I believe 1994, I was admitted into Jones Memorial Health Center in Jamestown, New York and I felt like my whole life was crashing in on me! I was very frightened of being in a mental health facility, but what made me strong during that time was the lyrics to a song that my dad had given me called "HERO" by Mariah Carey! At that very moment I was given the lyrics I realized that I did not have to be afraid of who I was as a person and that I had to learn to love myself too!

I have always loved that song since than and I often times listen to it still to this day! So at the time, Mariah Carey was my hero and I still love her voice! Wow! She cam really sing!
So, my dad always tells me that when I get married he and I will dance to this song for the father/daughter dance! I agree, because it can touch the heart of many people just with the story behind it!

It inspired me to want to achieve any dream that I had in mind and go for it! I thought of this song many times when I was a swimmer in high school and facing everyday challenges! I hope that I have inspired someone else with the few words that I have expressed in this article!