CFS 2006 – 2007 “Money for College” Scholarship!
“One Person Can Influence the World” by Courtney Sheehan
Throughout one’s life there are a handful of people who will always be remembered, those who truly are heroes to us. These people will always have a special place in your heart, and they will leave an indelible mark on your character. One of these people is my mother.
I understand that I am very fortunate to be given the blessings I have today. I have a strong-willed, good-hearted family, who is very close, and has made remarkable memories over the years. My mother is the center of my family. Many people have helped me achieve my dreams and goals, and strive to do more. However, if it were not for my mother’s strong will and wisdom, I wonder if I would possess my positive outlook and can-do attitude.
I would like to share with you how my mother has impacted my life, and still does today. As a child my mother was raised to be a very “good kid,” and was given the same opportunities I have been given today. Throughout her school years she was a smart and loveable person, and has taken that trait with her throughout life. But as many of us have done, she made a bad choice that ended up changing her life forever. She became pregnant at the age of seventeen, and she did the only thing she thought was right; she got married and prepared to have a child. After her husband left her, she went through some incredibly tough times. Yet she found the courage to work, raise a daughter, and graduate from college as a single mother with an engineering degree.
I believe my mother is the walking definition of inspiration. She didn’t let this situation destroy her character or enthusiasm for life; she dealt with what happened and went on. The impact she had on me is simply that she taught me how to think as she does, and that has brought me far in life. My mother has taught me so much with just a story. The situation also helped her strengthen her relationship with God. This is also something I look up to her for.
The unforgettable life lessons and moral values she has bestowed upon me will stay with me for life. Her motivating story helps me to grow as a compassionate and empathetic person. If facilitated, the ideal that any obstacle in life can be conquered, and gave me strong incentive to succeed.
My mother taught me how to believe in myself, as well as those around me. She also prepared me for the independence I will experience when I take the next step in life. This is the woman who taught me how to dream, and then make those dreams reality. I thank God everyday that she has impacted my life and taught me to never give up. She has truly helped shape who I am today. Now it is my responsibility to pass it on.
