Explain what leadership means to you and describe someone who has demonstrated leadership in your life by Carla

Explain what leadership means to you and describe someone who has demonstrated leadership in your life by Carla - May 2024 Scholarship Essay

Growing up I had a pretty normal childhood. That was until I wasn't your normal 7 year old anymore. I was 7 going on 27; taking care of a 41 year old woman who depended on me everyday. This explains what I know, now, as an 18 year old senior in highschool taking care of my mom, who had a stroke. Anything can happen to anyone so I learned to accept life for what it is, no matter how hard it gets.
Anything can happen. I had to learn how to grow up while taking care of my mom. She needed me when before, I needed her. It was unexpected. I would have never thought it would be my mom, let alone anyone else. I didn't even know what a stroke was before it happened. But it was like I had a new life and suddenly I was not a kid anymore. I had to see life for what it was and learn that your place in it could change ,but that doesn't mean it's all bad.
Life is what you make it. You take what's happened in your life and only you have the power to make it better or worse. After my moms stroke I learned you have to live for yourself and not for anyone else because you only get one life and you have to make everyday count. I try to go into everything with love because if you love something you will cherish it more and want to hold on to it. It can also be based on a decision, depending on if it's good or bad. Some decisions make life easier or harder but always go for what's best for you and not anyone else.
Be grateful for every day you have. Be grateful for the little things, be grateful for those going through situations with you and for life itself. I've learned that your independence can be taken from you. My mom used to want to do things on her own, but then she couldn't any longer. She had to ask for help. I was also now dependent on my family ,but I had to be grateful, because my life changed but my mom was still here. So I was grateful to have a mom because I could be without one. Being grateful has helped me cherish my life and those around me.
Lastly I learned that my moms stroke made asking for help feel okay for me to do because you don't always have the answers. Having family members helped so much because they showed me having questions is okay. I thought what happened to my mom was my fault but when I asked my family they assured me that things just happen and we have to be there for eachother. This was also helpful in school because I learned that asking for help daily made everything easier and taught me how to answer the questions I had in my rapidly changing life.
This year I turned 18 and learned a lot after my moms stroke, like anything can
happen. I just have to take 'everything day by day. I learned that I have the power to make my life what I want it to be .Lastly, that asking my questions is ok, and to be grateful for the life I’m able to live. All these things taught me more about myself and the world around me. All lessons which I hope to use during college. Another thing is that all though that happened in my life I
was able to grow, not only as a person, but with dreams. I went from having nothing to making something of my life. My goals, even though I'm just getting started, I'm going to make it there. I hope you will give me a chance to make a difference in my life.