My First Heartbreak by Rachael
Rachael's entry into Varsity Tutor's March 2023 scholarship contest
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My First Heartbreak by Rachael - March 2023 Scholarship Essay
I never knew that the last time I would see my father would be at a grocery store.
He may have known that he didn’t want to be in my life, but as a 6-year-old, this would be a surprise and my first heartbreak. I never saw him again unless it was a court appointment where he lied profusely about my mother. I took the feelings I had towards him and instead of rebelling like most children, I turned my emotions into my motivation. I had to make my mom proud. She worked tirelessly to make sure we lived comfortably while reminding me every day how much she loved me. I didn’t want her to worry about me or my future, so I became incredibly independent.
Whether it was doing every assignment even if that meant not going to sleep until 3 am or putting myself down for a nap if I started to feel a mood coming on, I wanted to do everything in my power to become independent.
During this lifetime of independence, I taught myself how to play saxophone and many double reed instruments to the level of being in multiple regional bands and orchestras that were highly competitive. When my mom moved to work at the prison rather than the hospital, she and I created a bond that would be unbreakable. We talk about everything and she encourages me to do my best and picks me up when I’m at my lowest.
My inspiration for my single mom burned a desire to do everything to the best of my ability even if it kept trying to shake me off.