Undergraduate / UT@Austin Topic A: my sister, Helen [4]

Hi Everyone! This is my first posting- any help would be nice.

Topic A: Write an essay in which you tell us about someone who has made an impact on your life and explain how and why this person is important to you.

I had lived with my sister, NAME CENSORED FOR HER PRIVACY (Helen), for 16 years before she ran away. "I don't have enough freedom, I can never go out with my friends, and I always have to take Herbert everywhere I go!" With those words she deserted our family. The days following her leave, I was in a constant state of depression and regret. I tried hard to understand the basis of her argument- it contradicted everything she said before. It left me wondering why she claimed that she loved us if she disliked us so much that she had to run away. Her words made me feel partially at fault for her wanting to leave. For two weeks I sat quietly in my room, reminiscing over the memories I had of her. Like daggers stabbing at my throat and heart, I tried to conceal the pain I felt while mourning. I had lost my older sister- my guardian, my role model, my best friend. She was what every older sibling should strive to be: strong, courageous and protective of me and my little brothers and sisters.

Growing up she taught me what my parents did not have time for. With our parents working afterschool, Helen would be the one who would wait for me at the bus stop after school. She would reheat the food my mom left on the stove. She would even help me with my homework. She had become a second mother, ensuring that my life was not affected by the lack of parental supervision. Only two years older than me, she had already assumed a great deal of responsibility. The amount of love she had for me and my younger siblings was immeasurable.

Two weeks after she disappeared from our lives, I was beginning to doubt whether I would ever see her again. January 16, 2007- time seemed to freeze that morning as I walked up the stairs to find her at school. She was standing with a group of her friends on the second floor right beside the soda machine. I didn't want to go up to her, seeing as I thought I was the reason she left, I was content just to see her alive and safe. It wasn't until she saw me and came up to me and whispered "I'm sorry- I didn't want to leave you and the kids, but I just couldn't stay there anymore." With that, I felt my depression and anxiety dissolve into a forgotten memory. We stood there, in front of my locker, hugging each other as tears ran down our faces. Shortly after that she called my mom and apologized. It was the beginning of our slow recovery back to "normality".

A year after leaving, she broke the news that she was pregnant and was expecting a child in June. I didn't know what to think. "Was this a blessing or a curse?" I found myself trying to imagine what life would be with her still living with us. She was only 18 and already expecting a child. She had not even finished high school. I was greatly concerned about her ability to care for herself and her unborn child. I could see it in her eyes- the pain and anguish she had experienced trying to live a "normal" life. To everyone's surprise she graduated in May of 2008, 8 months pregnant. This meant a lot to my family, she was the first to graduate high school- on her shoulders rested the pride of our entire family. On June 6th, 2008 she gave birth to Alejandro Brazil Rueles Jr., an adorable bundle of joy. I had grown to admire her persistence and determination.

To help support her family, she applied at a local dental office as a dental assistant. She spent four months working before deciding to become a dentist. She has already been promoted to the office manager and is currently saving to start taking undergraduate classes at our city's university. Her ability to overcome this hurdle in her life has been my motivation in my darkest days. She has become my inspiration, a person who I hold a great amount a respect for. She taught me that we are solely responsible for the actions we take in life, how you deal with the consequences is just another test of character.