This is my essay for the prompt of: Describe a circumstance, obstacle or conflict in your life, and the skills and resources you used to resolve it. Did it change you? If so, how?
Every little helps
It’s 1 A.M. in the morning and I attempt to sneak into the kitchen quite as a mouse to acquire a glass of water after finishing up a workload of homework. Surprisingly I see my dad sitting at the dining table with papers all around him with a weary look on his face. Seeing my dad like that made my stomach churn with sickness because I knew all those papers around him were bill statements and a possible foreclosure notice. I have overhead my parents talk about the huge amount of debt that has followed them like a dark cloud. It seems like that dark cloud has now caught up to them with a danger of leaving my family and I without a home. I returned to my room and fall asleep pondering about the future that awaits me.
I awake to the blaring ringing of my alarm and after what seems like an eternity I finally gather the energy to crawl out of bed. After brushing my teeth I walk to the kitchen and see my parents talking and my dad then motions me to sit down. He then tells me of the financial situation and then tells me that it would really help him out with the bills if I could apart a portion of my paycheck to go towards the bills. I was stunned by his request, a seventeen year old boy having to help pay bills? I muttered and shuffled my feet back to my room to finish getting ready for school. I did not want to worry about paying bills at such a young age.
Throughout the whole day I thought about what my dad had told me, and taking responsibility as a young man. When I finally came home I told my mom that I would gladly help pay the bills after realizing that I could help my family. This may be a difficult circumstance for many, to have to work but to only give your money to help your family at such a young age. But after giving my parents my paycheck now, I feel pleased with the amount of hours I put in at work and that I have the opportunity to help my family and show my parents that I can take Initiative to help out my household in time of need. It may not be much money to make an enormous difference, but it is the idea of working hours to sacrifice for my family like any other man may do for his family.
At the end of the day, I may miss out on fun activities with my friends when I am working long shifts on the weekend, but I put a smile to my parents face whenever I give them money that I have earned. That smile cannot be replaced with another activity that I may do. Helping out with paying the bills has changed me to overcome obstacles with persistence and to always look on the bright side of things. With what I have learned with this experience, this gives me a need to commit to service, and to willingly help others in time of need. With these set of qualities that I have achieved, I will make a huge difference in society and attending Texas A&M can help me reach my full potential of being a great person to service others.