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Most of the girls in AP Lit raved about Their Eyes Were Watching God. And, while I liked bits and pieces of the story line, I had no appreciation for the book as a work of art.

I don't know what to say. Except that it's been 3 years now. And just as Janie had to walk through the gate, into the unknown, and stumble over obstacle after obstacle until she defined life on her own terms, so have I been led "there and back again." A journey no one can understand unless they too have experienced one of a similar nature. If, 3 years ago, you would have told me that I was in fact reading the story of my very real future, I would never have believed. There's a lot of things that are different now. How I view myself, how I view the world, what I believe is important, where I place my value, how I make judgments, who I select as friends, what I strive for in life, and what gets me up and out of bed every morning. Now that you mention it, I'm not really sure I know that girl who sat through AP LIt for a year, calling into question the personality and lives of the characters whose stories she consumed. She seems so far away.

I dismiss no experience, and I deny no part of my self or my life. But my identity lies not in what I have experienced, what I have fallen victim through, or what I have survived. While these things helped to create my current presentation, they are no longer me. Our personalities are forever changing shape, size, and color. Never the same. Some of which we have control over, some of which is somewhat circumstantial. But even those circumstantial qualities are within the realm of our control. It's called choice. Because, as I learned my freshman year at Liberty, we ALWAYS have a choice. No matter what. We always have a sliver of control. Even when the choice isn't necessary bright and shiny. It's always there.

Janie had a choice. She could have easily given up on love. She was screwed over in some of the worst ways. But she believed. She had to. And in the face of great tragedy, she found herself. Why did I not understand this before? Because I had not truly struggled, I had not faced a hurricane that would destroy my world, I had not been called to face and search myself through a journey that would bring me clarity and understanding. But I have now. And I know for a fact that the journey is not complete. There will be far more celebrations and tragedies to experience. Far more choices to make. But Janie and I are more similiar than I could have ever imagined. We don't give up. We believe in something far greater than ourselves. And we believe in love. Even though we both have every reason not to. And now I openly and publicly claim Janie's story as my own.

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