I was 5 years old surrounded by the cool toned lights of hospital, beams of light slipping through the window. I was surrounded by my mother and sisters, watching my father lay in a hospital bed. I was only five, and didn’t understand much of what was going on, it took a while for me to even comprehend this traumatizing event. My father had died from his addiction to alcohol which led to his organs failing. I made a promise to myself that i would keep myself away from any alcohol and drugs, it was hard enough even learning in health class how addiction could affect a person. I wouldn’t let my myself and family down, watching the same happen to me. So i stayed away from bad influences, and took school serious, building my future every day. I believe Everything happens for a reason. Maybe all of this was what was best for me. Growing up with a single mother wasn’t easy for the both of us, since we both felt stuck for a while. But i didn’t let that stop me from dreaming. As a child, i’ve always wanted to help people when they were in need, as i was helped when i mourned the loss of my father. But my mother and I have both grown from this loss, because every loss is a new beginning. This new beginning, this change in my family starts with me. I was growing up without a father, but still had my mother to protect me, always. She had to carry the weight of being a mother, and taking care of finances, which isn’t easy for just anyone. Finances have always been an issue growing up, and it’s not uncommon. Especially when teenagers like me want to study Law. I want to advocate for people, be the odd one out who makes make a change in the world, and most importantly be a role model for the people around me. I want people to look at me as their motivation to keep thriving through the challenges in life to stay strong no matter what. That change starts with my education. This matters most to me as it is one of the huge building blocks in my future that i take seriously. Some people are born with different experiences and resources, i was lucky enough to live with one parent and a roof over my head.