Growing up, Alaska was raised by their parents Cain and Cassandra. As members of the military as well as survivalists, Alaska’s upbringing was unorthodox to say the least. They grew up hunting and fishing, attempting to raise livestock (sometimes unsuccessfully), tending to the garden, and being entirely homeschooled by Cassandra.
One of the key points in their development, however, was their siblings. Alaska was put in the position of tending to their many siblings from a very young age, and with this came the need to set their own personal wants and needs to the side. They were taught from a young age that it was their responsibility to ensure others got their needs met first, and Alaska embraced that fullheartedly, because it kept them safe in the eyes of their parents.
At 13, Alaska was first aid and CPR certified, because they were left alone with their siblings so often their parents felt it necessary. They were often not only responsible for keeping their siblings safe, but also ensuring that their homework and chores were done, in addition to Alaska getting their own responsibilities done.
This eternal list of rotating requirements left Alaska with a learned need to control the world and be cripplingly useful to those around them. If they weren’t seen as helpful, they felt that they didn’t deserve love; As Cain had told them, if they weren’t being useful, why were they there? So Alaska burned the candle not only at both ends, but in a pool of gasoline, desperate to be a light for those around them.
Years later, we’re still in the process of unlearning all the servitude and people pleasing Alaska grew up with. We’re getting better, and Alaska is too. But we have a long way to go to let the inner child actually have space to breathe.
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