What changed me! by Davialle

What changed me! by Davialle - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

As a young girl, I grew up in New Orleans in a dangerous neighborhood. Everyday there were people getting killed. My mother knew this was not the place for my sibling nor myself to be growing up around, so she suggested to my grandmother the idea of me moving in with her. My grandmother was all for this plan because she didn’t care for the area herself.
My grandmother was the mother and father figure for my siblings and me. Since my mother was always working and my father was dealing with his substance abuse problems. Whenever I needed or wanted something she would give it to me. She taught me to be a respectful, responsible, and an organized person. For 15 years she was in my life, she made sure I was taken care of. Every day I had a “blessed” meal for breakfast and dinner. She made sure my clothes were clean and I had a roof over my head. My grandmother made sure I was receiving the best education in the city.
When I was in the 5th grade, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I could have cried my life away but I knew she would be hurt to know that I was hurting. She survived breast cancer. She fought hard to and displayed a lot of courage to fight breast cancer. This made her a hero. I realized I needed to move back to my house with my mother because I didn’t like to see my grandmother suffer. I would always be around to be a helping hand whenever she needed me. After a few months, my grandmother convinced my mother to send me off to boarding school.
New Orleans began to get worse, it was time for me to focus on my academics. Although I loved my grandmother dearly I took her for granted. I always thought, well tomorrow she will be here. That is not true. The last conversation I had with my grandmother was terrible. I stated “Oh well you must not love me since you won’t buy me the new IPhone 5s.” She said, “Well Davi I just don’t have the money for it at the moment.” I was being very rude and asking for my way, something that really didn’t work with her. Every day I think about how I could have said things differently, or simply saying ok I will wait. About two weeks later on January 28, my grandmother was called to a better place. Her death changed my life. It was at that time then that I realized it was time for me to mature and assume more responsibilities. There is not anyone who will do the little things she did for me. I eventually realized I had to pick up the pieces and get back on track to my major goal, graduating.
Although my mother and father played a huge role in my life, my grandmother had an impact on my life from the time i moved in her house. We had plenty of ups and downs however, without her my life would be a wreck. When she passed away she took a piece of my heart but left a huge piece of her heart here with me. Moral of the story you will never know when it will be the last time you speak to someone you love. Basically I’m saying if you love someone tell them every day, simply because tomorrow is not promised.