Katherine Serrano

“Katherine, help me with your brother. He’s crying too much.” Those are daily words I’m told every single day. In Kansas, we are told we are all equal, no matter who we are but… I look in the mirror and all I see is an older sister. So why am I not satisfied?

I encourage my siblings to face their fears and embrace what their true potential is. I hold my siblings dear to my heart, before that, I’ve always been someone who’s far more empathetic than others around me. I’ve always felt like this when I’m around others. My goal was something simple:

I deserve to be understood. 

Growing up, I nurtured myself while my parents encouraged me to take in this profound knowledge, they knew deep down that I was special. Looking at the vast sunlight, I felt rather resilient.

I took in this perspective by looking at myself one day and questioning:

“Why must I suffer alone when I have people around me?”

Just like lots of lands here in Kansas that suffer harsh winters, I can survive too. These walls I put upon myself, anyone could tear them down at the drop of kindness given to me. That’s when my parents  told me, “If you keep something buried inside, you’ll never feel relief.”

I took action, I’m too young to let myself drown in sorrow. I opened my mouth and told myself to be better, be that person, be the person everyone counts on.

I am forever indebted to my parents for the opportunities given to me and I will forever be grateful for the ones around me, I can laugh with those around me, and… they understand me and my home? My home let this little girl bloom like a sunflower.