College Narrative Essay

Wind 1 Lindsey Wind Mrs. Cramer Comp I 6 March 2019 Simply Setback Not only was it the windiest night, January 31, 2012, but also a week before my tenth birthday. That very night, my life changed forever. I had been asleep per usual, on a school night, when suddenly, I heard pounding, dreadful screams, and the horrific crackling. I ran downstairs to see what was going on and right before my eyes, I saw the smoke smoldering from the kitchen. Frantically, I begin to try to find my mom who was nowhere to be seen. The thoughts that were going through my head were terrifying. A few hours later, the fire was put out, and I was sitting at my grandmother’s house impatiently waiting for my mom to come back to us. She had stayed at the house to try and talk to the firefighters and our landlord. When she got back, I asked her where she was, I was sitting in the cold and alone while she was running in and out trying to get help. You’d think at this point of the night I would be relieved that the fire was put out, but all I could think of was where would we live? What would we wear? Everything seemed impossible. Throughout the week, we had handfuls of bags being dropped off at my grandmother’s house, full of everything we could possibly need. Even though we had lost everything in the fire, our community made us feel like nothing had even happened. As a soon to be “double digit” age, I would have typically been thinking about my birthday party or the presents I wanted, but this year, all I wanted was for my life to go back to normal. I was grateful for all my family to have made it out of the house safely. Not one time did my birthday even cross my mind. As I reflect on this day, I realize that was probably one of the most inspiring birthdays ever. After losing all my material items, I realized, people were supporting my family and me even if I personally did not know them. Anyone I saw would ask me how I was doing or if I needed anything. My entire fourth

Wind 2 grade class had raised money for me to buy all my toys again and that meant the world to me. The blessings I received after this tragedy made me want to become a better person. It was time for me to grow up and put my heart on my sleeve for anyone who needed it. After going through this time of traumatizing event, I learned how to be more grateful and compassionate. Without having this house fire, I would not be the person I am today. The greatest lesson that I took away from this was, do not take your life for granted because it could burn up at any moment. Ever since this experience had happened, if I ever see someone going through the same thing, I will reach out and tell them my story to show them they are not alone.