Anything is Possible

Things must get worse before they get any better.  While devouring the end of the book, I could not help but remind myself of this common phrase in order to calm my nerves.  Graphic scenes of child abuse, drug abuse, physical abuse, murder, incarceration filled the pages of the last section.  I continued to carry hope that at least  Rosa could make a change for the better.  After enduring continual hardships, Rosa surpassed the common expectations of dying an addict.  Since she struggled for years with her addiction to both heroin and cocaine, Rosa finally came clean.  Taking herself away from the drug infested streets, Rosa decided to move into a better area, where she would not be tempted to take drugs.  She additionally removed herself away from Patty, so that she could finally take care of herself for once.  She rose above her posionous community and proved to help better her ownself.      

Once given the opportunity to share her life experience amongst a congregation, Rosa Lee explained a valuable lesson, “When you change the way you've been all your life, anything is possible” (Dash 241). In this simple explanation of what she had learned through her life, Rosa Lee emphasized the major theme of change. Her life story acts as a lesson to all. Ultimately, you alone have the power to change your own life. 

In light of the topic of change, I remind myself of the huge transformation my learner Francis is undertaking.  Although it has been a mere two months, I have noticed a change in my learner.  Not only does her trust in me grow more and more each week, but she has advanced academically.  Francis, who could at first not understand the simplest of vocabulary words, is now using words such as "ecstatic", "consistently", and "decipher" in our common conversations.  Each session I become more aware of her passion for words.  Today when we took a break from our session, Francis picked up a dictionary and wrote definitions in her notebook for fun.  Like Rosa, Francis is changing her own life for the better. 

Who would have thought that a druggie, prostitute, ex-convict would turn her life around at the end of her life willingly?  Who would have thought that a 21 year old woman who reads at a 4th grade level uses S.A.T. leveled vocabulary in everyday conversation?  Anything is possible.