For my choice memoir, I read Breaking Night by Elizabeth Murray. I chose this book because I was quite interested how a homeless person could go to Harvard.
But it turns out her journey to Harvard was a lot more than being homeless, and studying, and going to Harvard. Growing up, both her parents were addicted to coke and during their teenage years, been busted for being one of the main dealers in the Bronx. When Elizabeth's dad was arrested and jailed, her mom went clean to start a new life for herself and her children, Elizabeth and older sister Lisa.
Growing up was still tough. Elizabeth's mom was legally blind and could not work. Elizabeth's dad went to college for 2 years but dropped and doesn't have a job. Their family of four lives off a monthly welfare check, which was mostly spent on drugs. Growing up, her parents were usually to high to take care of the kids and Elizabeth got in a lot of trouble and cut school.
"...there was a sharp knock at the door. Immediately falling into the mode I devised for would-be social workers, I cautiously approached the door, tiptoeing, ready to peer out the peephole. To my horror, Ma--by this time not in her right mind, dressed only in an obviously filthy, extra long T-shirt--had gotten there first and was already unsnapping the locks" (Murray 82).
The symbolic picture I drew is an envelope from the government to Elizabeth. The envelope could contain anything, just like how life could throw anything at Elizabeth. It could be a monthly welfare check. It could be a warning from the school board that Elizabeth is cutting school. It could be the police, catching Elizabeth's parents for buying drugs. It is just like her life, anything could come.
And the only way she can figure out what will happen, is open the envelope, and keep living life.
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