The document is a multi-genre life story by Andi Cooper. It includes the following sections: 1) A short summary of growing up in Kannapolis, North Carolina and fond memories of the town. 2) An anecdote about meeting her lifelong best friend Chelsey when they were children. 3) The sad story of her grandmother passing away when she was young. 4) Struggles with her father having an affair that almost destroyed her family. 5) Finding life and college more challenging than expected but ultimately moving forward. 6) A brief bio of the author currently in her early 20s pursuing teaching.

1. MY MULTI GENRE LIFE STORY
Andi Cooper
Fall of 2012

2. MY LIFE WENT FROM GREAT
TO SAD
TO BAD
TO GOOD AGAIN.
HERE IS THE SHORT VERSION…

3. WHERE I GREW UP; THE BEST PLACE IN
CABARRUS COUNTY
Kannapolis was started as most great towns are – a man bought the land. It all started in
the 1860s when the Civil War devastated most areas of the South. However, with the insight of a few
businessmen and the hard work of local farmers, over the next 150 years Kannapolis evolved from
farmlands of cotton fields to a major research center of the country.
The landmarks throughout in Kannapolis make up what this town is all about; schools,
movie theaters, churches and orphanages, the research center, and mostly What-a-Burger! Most towns
and cities around here have the typical schools, theaters, and churches but Kannapolis is the home of
What-a-Burger and the Kannapolis Research Center!
NASCAR was also „invented‟ around Kannapolis, when the moonshiners had to quickly
movie their goods across town, these fast cars were soon drove by several racing champions such as
Earnhardt, Johnson, Petty, and Jarret!
It might be a personal opinion, but my town has it all; from being a big time linen making city
to a city with all the newest research, I believe it‟s the best of all towns and don‟t plan on moving too
far from it, at any point!

4. THE DAY MY LIFE GOT TURNED UPSIDE DOWN…
FOR THE BETTER!
It was the perfect summer day, sunny with no clouds in the sky. I spent most of my summer at my
grandparents house since both of my parents worked all day. On this particular day, I was six years old and just
received a brand new bike from my grandmother. I was more than excited to take my first ride around her
neighborhood, so I jumped on my new ride and headed towards the big hill down the street.
I was on my second trip around the bock, I had the wind in my hair, sun in my eyes, and I was flying high
on life being able to go around the block by myself with all the freedom a seven year old could have! Next thing I know,
a girl starts running after me, screaming her head off! I did not know what to do, my parents and grandparents always
told me not to talk to strangers, but this was a girl my age? Was it okay, since she was a young girl and not some
creepy man? Some how her flip-flops then flew over my head she was running so fast after me. I have no idea how it
happened, but it did. So I quickly stopped thinking, „this girl must really need to talk to me about something?‟ She runs
over to me and asks if I could play because her and another girl needed a third for their game. I rushed back to my
grandma‟s to make sure I could stay out she told me she just needed to meet this strange girl‟s parents – they were a
great family, and she had no problem with me staying out.
Chelsey and I played together every day that summer and never spent a weekend apart! We were the best
of best friends and no one was going to break the bond that we had. Even our families became friends and we took
vacations, like a cruise and beach trips, together. I couldn‟t imagine my summers getting any better ! Even when school
would start back up, we hung out almost every day, though we did not go to the same school until High School, and
even then we never had classes together, we are still the best of friends and see each other several times a week. I
could not imagine my life with out her and I know I would not be where I am today if she would have never chased me
down the street!
This story was my toast at her wedding just a few months ago, and though it was more of a story than a
toast, everyone got a kick out of it and I explained to the crowd that I we have been together through everything and
even though she is now married, we will continue to stay the best of friends! From chasing me down the street to
arguing when we‟re old, my best friend will forever be the crazy girl who changed my life that summer day!

5. THE DAY IT ALL WENT SOUTH…
September 26, 2005
Dear Diary,
Today when my parents got home from work they called my brother and I into the living room and told us
to have a seat. Immediately, my mind started to go crazy, mom and dad never call us together for a
serious talk and I could tell, this was a serious talk. There were tears in dad’s and I couldn’t help but
start to cry. I didn’t even know why we were so upset but I felt like there was bad news to follow these
tears.
Dad was practically joking to get the words out.. Mom had to tell us. “Mawmaw is very sick you guys”
she squeaked out. “She might not make it past tonight…” The tears started down her face. “We need to
go see her, go get your shoes on and grab your jackets.”
I couldn’t move. I sat there for what seems like an hour, but was really only about two minutes. I slowly
walked into my room and put on my shoes, got my hoodie, and drug my feet to the kitchen. We loaded
up the car and drove to the hospital.
I can’t write much about the visit because it gets me too upset, I will however say this has been the
saddest day of my life. I will forever remember this day as the last day I got to see my grandmother. The
last day I was able to hug my grandmother. The last day I would ever hear the words “I love you” come
out of my grandmothers mouth.
She is my rock. My one to lean on. The one I came to with all of my problems. No one will ever replace
the feeling I got when I am around her, she lights up my world when I’m feeling blue. I miss her already
and it has only been a few hours. The doctors say she won’t make it thru the night. I am already
dreading the news tomorrow.
Lord Help Me. Keep My Family In Your Thoughts.
This is goodbye for tonight, at least you’ll hear from me tomorrow, unlike my grandmother…

6. & IT WAS ALL DOWN HILL FROM THERE…
Maybe you did argue, fuss, and fight
But you also use to stay up and laugh all night.
Why Dad? Soft whispers, innocent looks,
A sweet romance, like a storybook.
You almost threw it all away,
For one night of what you thought was fun
play.
Why did is start? What really went wrong?
Was mom’s love not enough; was our family
bond not that strong? Mom was too understanding to walk away,
It’s destroying to know you could just go now You got luckily, I would have never stayed.
Just go and break the marriage vow. Family counseling, attempted time together,
All I could ask is why, why there and not here I couldn’t do it; nothing was going to get better.
Like a waterfall, my eyes pouring tear after tear. I still think about it, to this day
How could you almost give it up and almost
walk away?
How could you do this to our family, all I ask is
why?
Maybe one day you’ll understand my cry. I will never forgive, but I will try to forget
I thought it was me, brother thought it was him, The night I found out, I thought you would split.
How could we be so naive, it was all so dim? A family no longer? My life might fall apart,
Why mom stuck around, I will never know These shattered promises, dad, you broke my
I guess her love was too strong, just to let you heart.
go. I thought you were stronger, and most wise
But little did I know my dad was full of lies.
Destroy the family business and let it fail?
Or stick around and forget all the details? I look at you now still as my dad
Did you forget you had a family; kids and a But little do you know I still feel so bad
wife? How could you do this to mom and why?
Or did you just want to forget that whole life? Did you have fun dad, we should have all said
goodbye.

7. GETTING BETTER… TIME TO MOVE ON…
HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE;
WHY LIFE GETS HARDER WHEN WE THINK IT WILL BE EASIER.
High School is known as “the best four years of your life”. However, I personally think that
depends on who you ask. High School was nothing but school and a few sports to me. A majority of the
people I was friend with were older and out of High School, for the most part. The school days came and
went and luckily I was able to early graduate come January of 2009 and start my college career!
I thought College would be the best time of my life! From moving out to staying out, what
would be hard about that? The day came and it was time to get out on my own; I made my budget and
packed up my stuff, into the „real world‟ I went! Soon it became apparent that college was not all about
parties and friends but more about homework, projects, and bills, bills, bills.
Continuing on with going through with everything, I believe College is still more fun and
learning than High School just because the teachers don‟t seem to give you pointless classwork to past
the time. In a college class it‟s like there‟s not enough time in the day to get everything taught!
Personally, the time I spent in High School does not even compare to the fun I have had out of my
parents‟ house and on the college campus. Even if I have more bills that I can count I am more happy
now with my puppy and my apartment than I ever was at home and in High School

8. WHAT YOU MIGHT
NOT KNOW
ABOUT ME…
My name is Andrea Cooper, however I usually only go by Andi! I am twenty-
one years young and I try to live life to the fullest. I plan to graduate Spring of
2014 from UNC Charlotte and go on to fulfill my life-long dream of becoming
an Elementary School teacher. For the time being, I work for my parents at
their Sprint store in Concord and have been since 2005. I grew up in
Concord and still live in the area to this day. Also, my most prized possession
is my pup (above), Lilly, she goes everywhere, but school with me, yes even
work, I don’t know what I’d do without her!
I hope you enjoyed my Multi Genre Story, I would like to dedicate this to
anyone whose life is going thru a rough patch and is thinking it won’t get any
better. Life is full of ups and downs and it is up to you to make it all worth
while! Hard work and determination will get you far!