Incredulous. That was my thought as the austerity of charges ran through my mind. Sexual abuse in the first degree, combined with assault in the second. How could this have ever happened, and more importantly, why my family? People who hear about rape on the news daily find it hard to accept that it is a reality, but understand that it does in fact exist in this acrimonious world in which we live. For me, the facade of my childhood crumbled at the moment I was forced to accept fate, forced to realize that my father's guilt had unwillingly stained me.
             Throughout my childhood, my father's outbreaks of abuse towards me and others seemed to gratefully evaporate from my mind. Only a year and a half ago did I experience an epiphany after seeing my mother the day after my father had assaulted and raped her. Though the actions of my father are immoral, I am not to blame. Realizing this is one thing, but acting upon it is another. Absentmindedly, my father decided to consider only his personal needs, rather than the needs of his wife and four children. He left a maturing daughter and three utterly confused sons at home, using only what we had seen to depict the story no one ever wanted to hear.
             There are days in which I feel as if the world is collapsing at my feet, but I have resolved to keep on going. In an attempt to avoid thinking of the existing calamities that continue to breed within my home, I proceed to keep myself busy. Between an overly stimulating course load - comprised mostly of advanced placement classes - directing the school play, running my school's theater club, acting as Vice President for the twelfth grade council, assuming the role of mother's helper for my brothers, among other responsibilities, I manage to live my life to its fullest, avoiding the abyss my father has left me as his legacy, and striving to succeed as my own person.
             It has not been easy for the past year and a h...