The Three Major Experiences in My Life That Made Me Me

In the twenty one years I have been alive, I have been through a lot in my life. Every individual has multiple experiences that have shaped them into the person they are to this day whether its small or big. For me, my three major experiences that have affected my life have been graduating high school, the stroke that happened to my grandmother and having my family in my life again. To many, graduating high school is not too big of an accomplishment but to my family education is one of the most important things. Before I graduated high school, my grandmother had a very serious stroke. When I heard about it all I could do was cry, I didn't think something like this would happen to her. As you can tell, family is the most important thing to me which is why I was ecstatic to  have my dad's family back in our lives after years of no contact. It was so amazing getting to know my family more than ever and is something I will always treasure.

The day I graduated high school, I was so proud of myself and I knew my family were so ecstatic and proud of me also. The years I was in high school were not always the easiest for me. My freshman year my older sister moved across the country to do AmeriCorps. I was very close to my sister and felt all alone without her, I didn't know what to do. She was always there for me whenever I needed anything and without her I felt like I did not have anyone to confide in. Even with all the other family problems that were happening I never gave up, I persevered and gave it my all. My parents always made it a point to get the best grades I could. My mom graduated high school but my father was not fortunate enough to go to school beyond the eighth grade back in Colombia. Being in high school with my family issues also happening made me realize I was a very strong student and that nothing can stop me from accomplishing my goal of graduating and getting my high school diploma. It also made me realize that I am a much smarter person than I give myself credit for, in all my classes I would usually get all As which I was really proud of.  To many graduating high school is not as important as other events but to this day it is one of the things I am most proud of accomplishing.

My junior year, my mom came into my room and told me the heartbreaking news that my grandmother was in the hospital due to having a stroke. I did not know how severe it was or if she was going to die, I was so scared because she's the glue that keeps my family together. When I arrived at the hospital my family told me she kept asking for me and when I finally saw her I tried to stay strong for her but all I could do was cry. She could hardly remember anything, her memory loss was so severe. She could not remember simple things such as how to use a brush or what her name is, It made me so sad that she was going through this. At this moment I realized how important my family was to me and how I should never be taken for granted as they can be taken from my life in a heartbeat. I have always very close to my family but going through this made all of us have an unbreakable bond that could never be broken. Going through this made me realize that I am a strong person who is very kind and compassionate. After my grandmother went home I would help her with simple things such as remembering my cousins' names or helping her brush her hair since she couldn't remember. Even to this day she forgets a lot of names or events but she always makes me realize how kind I am and how never to take everyday for granted because you never know when it could be the last.

In the past couple of years, my siblings, my dad and I have been getting very close to his side of the family. For years my dad and his family did not keep in contact, I'm not sure of the circumstances but I always felt like there was a part of me missing. I never knew that having them back in my life would help close that empty part. One day my dad started telling us about how he wanted me to go with him to New York to see them. I was very hesitant since they were basically strangers to me but I knew my dad would be very happy to have his kids and his family together. When I finally met them, I felt out of place but I slowly started getting more comfortable with them. Having my dad reunite us with our family made me realize how life is too short to hold onto grudges or anything and that family is the most important thing. Seeing them again made me grateful to have such an amazing family and to this day I make sure I never take anything for granted. I will forever be thankful to have them in my life despite whatever issues happened between them and my dad.