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I can tie my shoes
My mom taught me how to tie my shoes when I was four years old. Learning to tie my shoes all by myself gave me my first taste of independence. I learned that at some point in time we all have to learn how to stand on our own, even if it's something as minuscule as tying my own shoes. -
Restricted from Learning
When I was 3 years old, I began to learn my alphabet. Around this time a 6 year old foster boy named keylon came to live with my family. He didn't know his alphabet nor his colors, so I figured he was mentally disabled. As a little girl I never realized that there were parents, his included, that just didn't care enough to send their children to school. This shocked me because, it never occurred to me that some kids don't ever get an education. -
12 inches Gone!
When I was seven years old I donated 12 inches of my hair to locks of love. Donating my hair was the first time I felt accomplished, like I did a good deed. It helped me realize how much I love volunteering and how good it feels to perform good deeds, like giving your hair to a child with cancer that couldn't afford to buy a wig. Since then, I have donated my hair three more times. -
Life is too short for regrets
When I was eight years old my grandma died. She had been weak for years, so her not bring well had become more normal. When I first found out she died I was so sad, and upset that I only got to spend eight years with her. Now I am grateful for the years I got to spend with Her, and the lesson it taught me, nothing in life last forever so we need to cherish the moments we have with each other. This lesson helped me recently when my other grandparents, whom I was even closer with died. -
STRESSED OUT!!!
In third grade I learned that procrastination makes me sick to my stomach. I put off a science project that was due on Monday, until Sunday. When I finally sat down to begin my project, I immediately felt completely overwhelmed. I started to freak out and get nervous and fidgety; that's when my stomach began to twist into knots. The sickness and pain I felt made me never what to experience it again. I've become a lot better with my time management, but still need to work on my procrastinating. -
Appreciate what God gave you
When I started volunteering at TOPSoccer in 6th grade I learned that not everyone is born with common learning skills I take for granted. I always thought "everyone knows how to talk to people, I mean they have to be able to, how else would they go through life?" For some people though it isn't that easy, in fact it takes a lot of practice for them to carry on as simple of a conversation as "hello, my name is..." , it never occurred to me that speech was a gift. -
Face Problems Head On
I learned through my brother that no matter how far you run away, your problems will follow you there. My brother is athletic but artsy too, he was bullied at his grade school so he transferred to a public school which he hoped would be more accepting. At first they were, but then the bullying began again, so he decided to graduate with his old friends from grade school. I felt bad for him, that he couldn't feel accepted anywhere, but it taught us both that running from problems won't fix them. -
Drivers License ✅ chaufer ✅
When I finally got my drivers license I was so excited to go driving around with my friends. I thought "I can go to the beach and the movies whenever I want!" I never thought about the responsibilities that came with getting my license. Now I had to drive my brother to his various practices, pick up groceries for my mom, and I would be getting a car insurance bill. At first I thought driving would be all fun and no work, but my mom explained to me driving is a big responsibility and be careful. -
Let's go to college
When I started preparing to apply to colleges this summer, I realized that my childhood will becoming to an abrupt halt in a matter of months. Next summer Could very well be the last summer I spend with my parents and siblings, before I go off on my own and never come home again. This lesson was bittersweet because I will miss being able to depend on my parents for everything from money to support in hard times, but I am ready to "spread my wings", get my idenpendence, and make my own mistakes.
