My Greatest Influence

Anyone can make an impact on a person’s life. One may think that a particular person can not influence or have a significant impact on you until they come into your life and make a difference. I was one of those people who thought this. However, my mindset was changed when I came to the realization that I did indeed have someone in my life that has made not only a significant impact but has made me the person that I am today.

Some people are so integrated into our lives that without them, our very identity would be completely different. My grandma is a key figure in my life who has left an undeniable impression on me. She is a huge influence to everyone around her because of her stability, her work ethic, and her independent spirit.

   My grandmother is the matriarch of our family. She has such a close relationship with us, and a great deal of wisdom, her six children, and many grandchildren often seek her out for advice. We look to her for everything, and she relishes the fact that we ask her for advice. Although she may offer her opinion when it is not needed, that only makes her more special because she cares so deeply about all of us. Ever since I was a little girl, I always wanted to go to her house to visit, because she was ultimately my favorite person in the world. She was always there when I needed her; when I needed someone to talk to, when I was having a problem and needed help, when I needed advice or a lending hand she was there and willing to help. She taught me honesty, selflessness, responsibility, and how to have an optimistic outlook on life. My parents split up when I was very young, and my step-dad passed away not too many years later. I always knew that my grandma’s house was a source of stability when the rest of my world seemed jumbled. This sense of security has helped me face many other challenges as they come along in my life, like when I changed schools in sixth grade. Perhaps the most significant legacy left by my grandmother is her example of always expressing her opinion regardless of what people would say behind her back.

I would most certainly not be the person I am today, inside or out, without the influence of my grandmother. I can only wish to mimic her stability, her work ethic, and her refusal to be silenced by other people’s disapproval. I am very thankful for my grandmother.  

Our Trip to the Museum of Tolerance:

Last Friday, February 10, 2017, my entire appreciation and outlook on life had changed. Our class arrived at the Museum of Tolerance after a very long and tedious bus ride. Its impeccable, broad lobby suggested a much more happy and uplifting experience than what was delivered to us. We were about to be given an in-depth and significant approach to the Holocaust, which gave me many new prospectives on all of my previous knowledge of what had happened to the Jews. Our tour guide, Walter, was very passionate about the information he was telling us. You could tell it hurt him greatly to explain to us what life was like back then, but he wanted us to know in great detail about what had happened so "history would not repeat itself". While at the Museum we were lucky enough to get the chance to hear the story of the one of the holocaust survivers. Our tour guide had told us, being told the story of the Holocaust makes us a witness. As the future generation, our responsibility is to learn from the mistakes in history and to make the future a better place than what it is now. 

Black Union Soldier

His Children/Mother

Friendly Letter

“My Thoughts on the Civil War”

    

Dear Mother,

     While fighting in the civil war, I have lost many close friends in battle as well as from disease. I know you don't want me to do this, but I believe it is important to fight for our freedom even though the consequences may be deadly. I wish this war was not taking place but I will continue to fight because our rights are just as important as any white mans. The battle field is gruesome and I have to continue to fight along side many of the fallen soldiers, but I will not give up. I hope the future generations will not have to go through what many of us have. I miss you all and I will hopefully be home soon.

Much love,

Your son