Personal Narrative Example Essay

You can call it following in footsteps or walking the same path, but I don’t see it like that. My grandmother calls her daughter, mother calls her sister, and I call her Aunty. She has always been my figure to look up to. She has inspired me to be the person who I truly want to be. My Aunt Marie is a strong, beautiful, and successful woman who, in spite of her work, has always been there for me when it counts in my life. I want to not only follow in her line of work, but I want to have her strength, love, and poise during everything. She is my hero, my guiding light, a woman who has taught me to stay true to myself and become the person I want to be. A conversation, one I fondly remember happened during an evening out to dinner. We had gone to this big burger place; it was one of my brother’s favorite places to eat out. It was just my middle brother, Christopher, me, and my aunt. Of course my brother ordered the biggest burger on the menu, his reasoning, â€Å"A manly man needs a manly burger.† We ladies, on the other hand, ordered a salad. Our topic for discussion was what we planned to do for our future. In my family I have always been the black sheep when it came to what my future entitled. Both of my brothers already knew what their plans were; Stephen is going into electronics and Christopher is becoming a machinist. I, on the other hand, had no clue what I wanted. Sure I had a general idea; something in the medical field, psychologist or something in law. So not very narrow, but at least an idea. At this time I hated this line of discussion. My brothers could say something, but I had nothing. I feel now this was the case since I wanted to make sure the career I chose would be one I enjoyed to work in. Without knowing from this night my aunt would teach me a valuable lesson. This was the first night I told her I was contemplating joining the Army. Out of all people, I suppose it was she I expected the acceptance from. My Aunt joined the Army at just 17 years old and became an MP. My Aunt explained to me how the military is a whole different ball field today than it was when she joined. Do not get me wrong, it is not like she put me down hard and gave me a, â€Å"what the hell would you do that for† response. I was given the best response instead. She proceeded to tell me how the military needs to be a choice I made for myself; that it was a choice I truly needed to be sure about. She also told me if this turned out to be something I wanted to do and it had to be for myself, that she would have some of her agents who work for her talk to me. Each would be from a different branch of the military, and they would explain each one to me so when I chose I would know fully what I was getting into. She wants to make sure my head is on straight before I sign any papers. It makes sense; once papers are signed you are committed for the duration of enlistment. I just hope she knows that I am not doing it because I think she wants me to, but rather I feel it will benefit me for my career choice. As I write this now, it has been four years since this conversation and I have had plenty of time now to think of my future. I can say though that it has not been until the past four months that I have actually figured out what I want to do with my life. I want to do something in Law enforcement; a career, that at the end of, I had made some sort of difference in another personâ⠂¬â„¢s life. That was the main thing for me when I was thinking of my future; I knew whatever I chose to do I wanted it to make a difference. I believe my choice in law enforcement certainly comes from her. I have always had an interest because of being surrounded by it all my life. When we were little I went to work with her and with my brother, Christopher; she showed us all the gadgets her agents used and I was intrigued. As I remember this dinner, I remember her explaining to me how my life is mine; I cannot mimic someone else’s. She told me I needed to explore my options and figure out what I truly want; take in consideration not only the job, but the life it would give to you. I remember her also saying, â€Å"It is not all about the money, sure you should be financially sound, but life is not all about having a lot of money.† These are words to live by in my point of view. So many people today are caught up in the aspect of making so much money they forget what they truly hav e. I want to live my life and be grateful for the little things while still making sure I can financially support myself so I am at least comfortable. I want a life to be proud of. The first step to this, I believe, is college. As a senior now, this has been the fous of our year. I have been so grateful for recently being accepted into my number one, top choice, college. The University of New Haven, on November 18th, 2012 the college sent me its congratulations on being accepted into the college for the fall 2013 semester. I want to go here for the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic science. I hope to major in Law Enforcement with a minor in Psychology or Sociology. My Aunt gave me the encouragement to push myself through high school so I can have the future I want. She showed me how anyone can become what she wants if they truly want it. She came from a farm house out in the boonies, into the Army at 17, and now is a renowned member at the DEA office in Washington D.C. She travels the world for her job. Her future is set; she has a 35 year pension from the military, a 401 K in place from her current job that will keep her financially sound way beyond retirement. I want this for myself, a job that will benefit me not only in the moment, but in the long run. She has taught me how when you are my age you cannot think of only right now, you have to think of your future, especially with you career and what it can provide for you in the long run. My aunt has been my role model to look up to for as long as I can remember. She has been the person who I inspire to be. She is a constant beautiful light that has always reminded me to do the right thing. On the night of that conversation I remember thinking, â€Å"Missy don’t you forget tonight, don’t you forget what she is telling you.† I will forever remember this night. Reason, it was the night she taught me the most important lesson ever; to stay true to yourself and create the life you want to live. From the man whose put them in his own words, Dr. Seuss, â€Å"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than you.†