"My Growth and Development"

Prenatal Period (Conception to Birth)

We are 12 in total including my 6 stepsisters and 1
stepbrother both in my father and mother side. I was the
eleventh child on the list. I was originally conceived in
1998. I was the "UNWANTED" child because my parents were
both struggling with their relationship and any of the
two would not want me to live. My mom attempted to do
abortion many times. She tried to do it in all means.
Unfortunately, she was unsuccessful. When her womb was
getting bigger, she then realized that she needed to
accept it. My father actually left her no choice.

Infancy/ Babyhood
The moment I egressed from my mother's womb, I was taken
care of by her all alone. Since they were not in good
terms with my father as I have mentioned above, she
needed to spread oneself too thin. She needed to walk and
chew gum at the same time. My mother was doing her job at
daytime, so my older sisters were taking care of me. They
taught me how to walk and how to speak in a very clever
way. I learned how to speak because they always brought
me outside and for that, I got to listen to conversation
of different people with different stories.

Early Childhood (2-6 years old) - This was the time when
I started to walk without the help of my family. I can
draw some abstract things by following the constructive
instructions through dots and patterns made by my
sisters. My parents allowed us to go outside and to have
some fun with other kids because they always believed
that "No man is an Island". So, they want us to be
socially inclined and not be cynic at things as a whole.
I also started to enunciate words slowly and constantly.

Late Childhood (6-12 years old)

This was the time when I started to go to Elementary
School. I started studying when I was 6 years old as a
Grade one student. I also tried to do many activities
thinking that I might discover what I really want. I
learned how to draw concrete objects, how to sing, how to
dance, how to do gardening and how to write stories and
poems. I was always on the top list of students who are
academically inclined. I also felt pressured about having
too many friends and how to keep all of them.

Adolescence (13-19 years old)

At this point, I decided to upgrade my very own self when
it comes to studying. I persevered to maintain my grades
and to not give up the pursuit of my excellence. I tried
to be innocuous so that I won't offend anyone and thus, I
can live a peaceful High School life. I must admit that
middle school was very interesting yet challenging. I
coped with the ever-changing environment and engaged to
different activities that could help me to grow as an
individual. This was the time when I started to feel
something towards everyone. I also noticed that my height
towered over everyone else. I noticed some changes with
my physical structures. My voice deepened and beard
started to grow. As the years sail, I felt something
within me like I was not the person I used to be. The
friendly and that type who likes to talk to everybody was
already gone. I became materialistic. I felt good when I
buy the things that I like. This was the time I realized
many things and I became preoccupied. Insomnia swept over
my head and my sleeping patterns has had almost gone. I
became nostalgic and skeptical. I even doubt my own self
if I could do better. I used to help others and little
did I know that it became my priorities. I wasted my time
with people who were abusive. Later, I knew that I was
the one who abused my own self.

Early Adulthood (19-40 years old)

Currently, I am at this point in my life. I became
pragmatic. I am very practical when it comes to decision-
making. I always double check something before I buy or
before I pursue it. I was a skeptic and now I still am. I
looked at things differently now. I learned how to say
"NO" to everyone's request if I know time and
circumstances will not permit me to do so. I trusted
myself and became confident when it comes to taking
risks. I am at peace when I am alone and silent. I worked
hard to earn money and to buy something that I could use
in the future. I invested and decided to start my own
business. I also decided to continue my ongoing career-
development.

Middle Age (40 -retirement)

As for me, I might be alone since I am planning not to

have a family since I have a different perspective when
it comes to having a good quality of life. I have my own
ideal spot of enjoying my life. I want to pursue my
career and be successful in it. I want to get a stable
job that will suffice my needs and thus, I can help my
family too. I want a peaceful life wherein I don't need
to feel like I am obliged to make someone's happy and to
fill their emptiness with my presence. I don't feel like
chained with someone else thru marriage. That is why, I
don't see myself marrying somebody.
Old Age(Retirement to death)
I am actually looking at this point of my life wherein I
already achieved everything that I want and I stop asking
for more. Since I might be alone in the future, I only
could see myself sharing my life twists and turns. I
would love to share it to my nephews and nieces. I also
see myself leaving away from the crowds, traffic jams and
city lights. I want to enjoy the rest of my time spending
on the things that I did not enjoy while I was still
young. I know death is inevitable and it is everywhere.
So, as much as possible, I will share what I have and
leave everything that I have to people and organizations.
I want to encourage everyone to keep the fire burning no
matter how hard it is actually to. I want to embrace my
nights and days with laughter and tears with people whom
I feel comfortable. People who can make my cold days
warm. I want to embrace death as if I walk in the park
with my dogs and cats. I want to delve into the gleaming
purple eyes of death and search for a paradise to live
with.

By: Ken D. Del Rosario