“Sofie get up!”
My mom extends her hand
With a promising grip
She helps me to stand
Young and spirited I knew not the extent
of how those words would become a lament

Running on the field
So relentless and strong
Pushing by players
I know I belong
My legs may ache and my lungs may tire
But they are no match for my unwavering desire

Yet here it comes
She barges me down
She takes my ball
I smack the ground
I lay there in shock as the pain does commence
Tears rolling down my cheek in natural defense

Get up Sofie and take a stand
But for now you may hold my hand
I will help you calm, I will hold you steady
Because one day you must be ready

I am in seventh grade
I’m out of shape
For an athlete I’m
Overweight
I look in the mirror and I’m filled with disgust
Change is an inevitable must

I do the right things
I begin to recognize
The importance of
Diet and exercise
Yet I see no change and give in to failure
And there she was, my mother, my savior

Get up Sofie and take a stand
But for now you may hold my hand
I will help you calm, I will hold you steady
Because one day you must be ready

I walk up the steps
Anxious and scared  
I know I am
Unprepared
I bite my tongue, filled with anguish
For English was their second language

“Como estas”
barely danced off my tongue
I saw my dads eyes
I could see how it stung
I could not communicate with his mom and his dad
It filled him with sorrow, it made him sad

So I dedicated time
I practiced, I learned
This acquisition of knowledge
And approval I yearned
I spoke to them, we had real conversations
My family grew with stronger relations

But then it happened
In came the call
He ran down the stairs
Our hearts took a fall
That was it, my practice for naught
An empty hole for that approval I sought

Get up Sofie and take a stand
But for now you may hold my hand
I will help you calm, I will hold you steady
Because one day you must be ready

I began to change
For the better I grew
Obtaining a job
 Obstacles pushed through
Hard work was imperative to achieve success
Allowing nothing to hinder my eager progress

But without fail
I’m sidelined once more
Diagnosis-Concussed
My heart on the floor
I clenched my fists and whispered the line
Get up Sofie, this is the time.

So who am I really
Well In conclusion I state
I’m hardworking, kind
and passionate but wait
There’s more i wish to share and tell
I’m funny, intelligent, and courageous as well

I’m competitive, optimistic, determined, sincere
Trustworthy, witty, thoughtful and dear  
Most importantly though, you can invariably bet
That I will always stand up, I’ll never forget