The inspiration to keep moving forward in life lies in every person’s soul, heart, and mind. I believe we all are inspired by something or someone in our lives. Maybe to do better financially, to eat healthier, to follow your dream, to stop a nasty habit, or to help others in need. There is so many different reasons we are inspired daily to keep living our lives. Nine years ago, I had found my inspiration for everything.
When I was ten years old I was just a careless, spoiled, young child ready to grow up and live a wild life. My mom was an aid for special needs children at Morgan Elementary during this time in my life. The principal of Morgan at the time made the decision to start laying people off including my mom. Well she then became a Sales Rep. for Marketday, a frozen food company that ran through all elementary schools, as a fundraiser for the P.T.O. My mom was a sweet sales representative and would deliver the frozen food packages to the people’s houses who weren’t able to pick their order up on the established date. I traveled with my mother quite often to the houses to drop off the food. This one house we pulled up to in Okeana on Northwynn Road, was beautiful! It was a very large wooden lodged house with aquers of land. We hopped out of the car, gathered the boxes, and walked up to this gorgeous house.
My mom had already explained to me that this house is where one of her special needs students lived, named Payton. Debbie, Payton’s mother welcomed us inside and offered us drinks. My mom talked to her for a bit and introduced me to Debbie. We all then walked over to Payton and my mom started talking to her. I quickly noticed Payton couldn’t communicate, yet she understood almost everything my mom was asking her. It was as if she was deciding to ignore us and just played quietly. Debbie had three children Paul, Payton, and William. Paul was 5, Payton was 3, and Will was 2 years old. Payton was diagnosed with Down Syndrome when she was born. After leaving their house I really wanted to stay but never asked.
A few months later my mom had to deliver food to Debbie’s house again and I of course tagged along. This time I asked if I could stay and hang out with her kids. Although they were all years younger than me, something about the kids and the family just invited me to stay! Debbie of course said yes and that she could use some help around the house by keeping the kids busy and out of her way. I never knew that one day would change so much in my entire life! I enjoyed hanging out with Paul, Payton, and William so much that Debbie decided to hire me as her “mother’s helper”. Debbie was a stay-at-home mom and needed help around the house with the kids while she worked on all the taxes, paychecks, and paperwork for her husband’s company. He was a construction worker and he managed to build his own company called “Schroeder’s Wall Builders”. I eventually started going over to the Schroeder’s house every weekend to spend time with her kid’s and keep them out of her way. She paid me little money at the time, which was fine with me because I just enjoyed being there.
She then called the State and questioned them about how old you have to be to become a babysitter and being able to watch her kids alone at the house. The lady said it all depends on how mature the sitter is and how much you trust her. So Debbie decided I was ready to watch all three of her kid’s alone while Deb and John (her husband) went out. I brought my friend Barb with me every time to keep me company. I started watching the kid’s almost every single weekend so John and Deb could go out and spend time together. That’s when Payton and I started getting really close. I spent so much time with her that we created a friendship I’ve never had with anyone else before. She helped me realize who I am, where I want to go, and what I want to do with my life. Ever since I was young, I was so excited to spend my weekends with Payton. All my friends knew exactly who Payton was and how much she meant to me. It came to a point where anytime I was free, Payton and I were together. If I was going to a musical with my friends, Payton would be right there with me.
As Payton grew older her parents eventually tested her for a few other disabilities and it came back that she also was diagnosed with Autism at the age of six.
As I went off to high school I ventured down a rough past with a lot of my new friends. I started departing from my close friends from middle school and started hanging out with older people. As a freshman I still made time for Payton, maybe not every weekend but I made sure I still got to see her. I couldn’t go weeks without seeing and spending time with Payton because she became more like a sister to me. Eventually I departed a bit more from my friends and family that I was rarely ever home. Continuing into my Sophomore year I realized the mistakes I made were careless and immature. I always thought about Payton and what she would think if she knew the things I had done. I decided that what I really wanted in life, my little sister to be proud of me. Payton inspired me to stop doing careless things and get back on track. She has been my entire world since I was ten years old. I love her with all of my heart and would take a bullet for her any day. She may not communicate or even speak at all. But that’s the thing, Payton does not have to talk or speak to show you she loves you and enjoys being with you. Every single moment I am with Payton she made me smile and realize what is really important in life. Her simple hugs, kisses, and sweet smiles make me better a me.
Through this blog I want to share Payton's love and inspiration with everyone. That is the one thing I have loved to do, write. I love writing about each person who inspires me. Payton inspires me every single day, so she deserves to have her own blog to show off her beauty to the world!