Today I graduated with my bachelor’s degree. I went through manic phases in my early twenties and dropped out of school a few times. I didn’t know what was happening to me. I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop and felt like I was stuck in a hole I couldn’t get out of. Seven years ago I attempted suicide and ended up spending time in the icu. When I woke up, I felt like something changed in me. After that I finally found a nurse practitioner who prescribed me the right meds and a therapist who helped me through a bipolar diagnosis. As I crossed the stage today I can’t help but think of how grateful I am to be alive.