Brianna Polk
Happy on the outside, angry on the inside, that was me. Even though I was known as the happy and strong kid, behind my smiling face was pain and sorrow
I started out in life pretty good. I had two parents and one older brother, but at a very early age I discovered my mom had a drinking problem. She would try to cover it up by saying, “It’s just juice” or “I’m only drinking a little.” But I knew there was more to it. She would sometimes share her 40oz. beer with me. I was only about 5-years-old at the time.
My mom’s drinking problem worsened. She regularly had seizures and one night she slumped over my shoulder with her eyes rolling back in her head. My dad called the doctor and took her to the emergency room.We waited outside her room until the nurses told us we needed to go home and come back the next day. Returning the next day she was eventually pronounced dead. I remember my dad sitting me on his lap and asking, “Do you know what just happened?” I nodded “yes.” I was 7-years-old.
So began my struggle – happy, angry, – smiling, fighting. I would go to church sometimes with a friend just to have something to do. But at home, I was still the rebellious kid getting into trouble.
A friend invited me to a party at his church. It sounded like fun, so I went. He told me the church was connected with Youth Venture and invited me to check it out. The moment I walked into Youth Venture I was welcomed. One of the volunteers met me and told me she could be my mentor and we could o through lessons learning about God. Not wanting to be rude I said, “Yes” to her. Never once in my mind did I think I would end up telling her my whole life story that day, but I did. I felt so happy.
I decided to drop my bad habits and get involved with Youth Venture. At YV’s Summer Camp I gave my life to Jesus. I turned my life over to Him, losing some things, but gaining much more – new friends, people who loved me even with my flaws and who helped me to work on them. My life changed, my broken heart was heling, and my shattered image of trust was being restored. Youth Venture saved my life.