My Personal Statement

Some kids come from a family that doesn’t care about their kids at all. Then there are some families that do everything together. Where I come from, family is always first. Ever since I was little my family supported me with everything. When my grandma died everything changed. Then one day, we just fell apart.1

My mom has always told me that my family comes first. She told me that I should always stand by their side and help them even though they don’t ask for it. I tried my best to do that, but it never worked out so well. My family supported me when I played softball. When I started to get into art, they supported me by buying me art supplies. It was their way of encouraging me to do what I loved.2

I was about 10 years old when my grandma died. I continuously spent my time with her. Even though I was too young to realize that she did shape my life, I do now. Her death was one of the biggest changes in my life. I became quiet and distant from others. I went to counseling to cope with it, but that never really worked. I never let anyone in and I never let anything out. But what I learned is that life is short and you should make the best out of everyday. Appreciate the little things and I do try hard to let people in and to be thankful for the small things people do for me. It’s a bit easier now that I’m older, but there are times where I go back to my old ways.3

The day that made me officially become who I’ am today, was the day our family fell apart. It was like holding onto a string on a piece of clothing and you just keep pulling until there is nothing left. My sister had found out her husband was cheating on her and ever since then it seemed like our family will never be the same again. She came over and she flat out told my parents that she wanted nothing to do with my dad. It really hurt me, along with my parents. After that my two sisters didn’t talk to my mom, sister, aunt and basically the rest of my family very much. 4

Even though what my mom said about family doesn’t seem to reach everyone’s standards, I still believe it. There are plenty of things that have gone wrong in my life, but I’ve recently learned that they were all for a purpose. Each thing that went wrong was suppose to help me grow into an individual and it did. I should appreciate everything and everyone that comes into contact with my life. Although there are memories that still hurt, I will always know that they are there to help me remind myself that I’m becoming into an individual. I’ve learned that you can forgive things, but you’ll never forget them and that’s something I live by.5