The Beginnings End by Martha

The Beginnings End by Martha - May 2022 Scholarship Essay

I have a testimony that will continue to encourage others to push through their pain to continue the plan God has. As the airbag deployed from the steering wheel and smoke was everywhere, I had no idea the challenges I was about to face. I was driving to track practice and a driver hit me. I had no idea where I was or what to do in a car filled up with smoke from the airbag and I could not breathe. Once I got out, the firetrucks and police officers had arrived, and I was escorted to the hospital by the paramedics. Not knowing the damage to my car, my mom showed me pictures of the engine on the ground and my door was almost off the hinges. After six hours of waiting and testing, the doctor discussed with me that I had a cracked sternum, a second degree burn on my right wrist and a very severe concussion. While home in pain for several days, my friends showed up most days to cheer me up and give me hope. Little did I know in my healing and trying to stay focused on attending college, hope was going to be crushed again. Two weeks after my accident and trauma that caused me to need assistance completing my academic year, my Aunt Robyn Herring, was taken from this Earth. I heard my mom fall to the ground and scream like I have never heard her scream and cry before. One hour before, my mom had just spoken with my aunt. My aunt and her family went for a ride after dinner. A guy was fleeing from the police and hit my aunt’s jeep and they flipped over and were drug 20 feet. My aunt was ejected from the car, hit her face on the road and died instantly. We all were an emotional wreck. I could not imagine starting college, finishing school without her, being a big cousin when I was in so much pain and experiencing so much injury in my heart and brain. The guy was found three days later in another town and brought back to Birmingham to face charges. I lost my “big sister” and role model. I struggle everyday battling with a concussion and memory issues, but also having to live without Robyn. I have been encouraged by my family and friends that through my hardship every day is a gift and tomorrow is not promised. I must make my aunt proud and push through my challenges I faced today and may face in college. I pray they continue to make me stronger as I have learned a lot about struggles that come to give us strength. God is our strength, and He will lead and keep me on my path to complete college no matter what.