I had just returned home from the best weekend of my life. I was at a Young Life fall weekend retreat for the first time as a freshman. My sisters and I had one year together in high school, then my oldest sister would be graduating in the upcoming May. When I got home I expected to get ready for the upcoming Monday and rest the whole afternoon. However, Sunday we received some shocking news. My parents came into the room where me and my sisters were studying and looked at us with deep emotion. I immediately started to sob in my sister’s arms as they announced they were getting a divorce. I felt like everything I knew and was comfortable with was ripped and snatched away from me. It was one of the hardest nights of my life, but it taught me many characteristics about myself and the experience shaped me into who I am today; a more caring and loving towards others. I also discovered that I am rather artistic and can use that talent to find joy and relaxation on the days that are more challenging.

Throughout my freshman year I struggled a decent amount; I was new and my greatest desire was to just be normal and fit in. That day I felt my life as I knew it was taken away and I was anything but normal. There were a lot of tears shed and resentment built up, but slowly I started to write down my feelings and journal. I prayed a lot and read my Bible more and more everyday. I started to try out painting as well as hand lettering. Creating art brought me immense joy on the good days as well as the bad days. It became my outlet for pain. Once I started to become good at it a passion within me was sparked and I decided to start a business. I created a company by the name of Simple Sayings by Jules. I create personalized signs and prints and sell them at wedding shows, farm markets, and through social media. I never dreamt of starting a business and creating meaningful pieces of art for people who need daily reminders that they are beautiful and worthy. I have a passion for encouraging and inspiring people and love to make their days better through my art.

Although my family situation was less than ideal, channeling my feelings and my life experiences into my art allowed me to start to let go of anger and make the decision to be content with my circumstances. I realized people around me were going through similar journeys as me and I might be able to help them from my own experience. I started to reach out to people in my classes and everyday life and talk to them about their day. I found that they started opening up to me. I was able to love my peers and relate to them in a new way that I never had been able to before. As a senior in high school, my story still resonates with people and I am able to offer advice to freshman who are dealing with problems similar to mine. I am able to  show them that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I love to be able to share my story and impact the lives of others in a way that I never thought was possible.