“ You are going to make it in life, you are going to be successful. Do you hear me?”
These words hit my soul very deep. My cousin’s boyfriend said these words to me. He knew I felt like I was not going to make it in life. He grabbed my shoulders and told me these words in the kitchen of my cousin’s apartment. My cousin and her daughter, my younger cousin, were there. He told me this many of times. His name is Mannie, he meant this in a positive way because he knew I felt like I was nothing. Like I’m going to not pass highschool. I was 17 and a senior in highschool. At the time, we were discussing the topic of college and had still yet to decide what I wanted to major in. I had wanted to study business and he knew my mother had convinced me to not major in business. He can see on my face the way I was worried.
Mannie would have never say anything negative to me and I would be shocked if he ever did. Never was negative towards me, always positive and I’m grateful for that. Today I look back to when he saw me cry for the first time. I look at where I am now, I think about how I felt then and how I feel now. Never would I have thought that his words would encourage me. All because of him I push myself to finish Highschool. He has affected my education by making me work extra hard. Whenever i felt like giving up i repeated those words he told me “ You are going to make it in life, you are going to be successful. Do you hear me?” I will use these inspiring words until I get my dream job. If he knew, he would surely be happy. Maybe this time I will see him cry for the first time. If i ever show him, I want to say thank you Mannie. You are dearly loved!
Words can change a person’s life; they can improve or worsen someone’s personality. That’s why we should think once and twice before saying anything that might affect others. I am happy that his words encouraged you to never give up and continue working toward your desires.
Wow — sounds like Mannie’s words have saved you.
Good on details and setting the scene for the convo in par 1.
Can you elaborate on: “I felt like I was nothing. Like I’m going to not pass highschool. I was 17 and a senior in highschool.”
If you choose this HW as the seed of your Ed Narrative assignment (coming up) and choose it to develop more fully — Can you give more explanation on what this difficult episode in your high school life was? Were you at risk of failing and not graduation? You make hints that it was a seriously difficult moment but you don’t SHOW me what that event was.
Is Manny like a father figure for you?
Do his words echo in your mind at key moments of struggle at school?
Remember you will be writing an EDucation Narrative.