Ameerah a

My name is Ameerah but I go by many nicknames. Meerah, meer-meer, meercat, but the oddest yet most important one is the one given to me by my mother. Womb-Opener.

My parents would try and try for a child and it was God's blessing when I finally arrived. As the first born child on both sides of the family, first grandchild, first one born in the US instead of Nigeria, ever since I breathed my first breath Ive had responsibility to lead and pave the way for those after me. From being the first to ever wash dishes to being the first to go to college amongst my siblings, my job to brave into the abyss alone never ends.

Being the oldest has its perks sometimes but its draining. Always doing things alone with no help or no one around me who understands was and still is brutal. Especially with my parents extremely high expectations and standards for me I love my parents with all my heart but as traditional Nigerians, they just dont get it. They're learning (because Im teaching them) slowly but surely so its easier on my sisters but Im the one going through it and sometimes its a lot for me. From getting bullied in middle school to being depressed in my rigorous high school program it often felt like I had no one in my corner to guide and be there for me. I felt isolated even though I had my family around me.

But as I grow older, I realize this way has taught me resilience. It taught me to step into new rooms ready to learn about the world and learn about myself. Ive been through a lot of battles in my life, some shared with family, friends, but my biggest ones are kept to myself. Even though I didn't know it at the time, every moment of isolation has taught me strength. My best quality is that no matter what happens to me I never give up and I know that it all works out for me and now I can confidently say that I, Ameerah, am the strongest person I know.