The guardians of a new life, my parents, begin to sketch out an imaginary map of the path they believe I should take in order to have a successful life. A "successful life" is defined by how victoriously the map holder completes the journey that is set before him or her. As soon as a child can comprehend the meaning of words, a map of the long and difficult journey, described with hope and admiration, is set before them. The maps other than physical are passed on by mouth through family, friends, and acquaintances describing their experiences and opinions about the routes that they had taken on their own personal journey. A journey is made up of one overall map and various smaller maps, telling of the alternate routes that are available.
             On the map of my journey, I was told not to fall into the City of Trouble Making, to stay on Honor Roll Road on the way to the City of College Degree, and continue on Career Road in order to end up at the town of Happiness and Security. My parents told me that I was expected to complete my journey of becoming a Nurse and becoming both financially and emotionally stable. My parents placed their dreams of success in my hands. No one in my family has graduated from college; therefore I am next in line to give it a shot. My mom and dad dreamed of graduating from college but were unable to because they had to make a living taking care of my two older brothers. By my succeeding, I will have lived their dream for them. I was slowly and gradually told the map I was to carry with me since I was an infant.
             I was born on January 30, 1985, in Odessa, Texas; which is just the starting point for my journey through life. I grew up with both parents and my two brothers. My eldest brother, the rebel, burned the map my parents gave to him. Instead, he chose his own route down the path to Nowhere. He traveled with the wrong crowd and is now working minimum wage trying to get out of The Valley of Debt. My other...