At age nine, everything was perfect. I could wake up from a dream about how I was Batman’s sidekick and run around the house jumping from wall to wall. In each room I ran to, I could see my happy family going on with their day—my mother waking up ecstatic to see her cubs, my father rushing around to get ready for work, and my sisters watching their daily cartoons and shows. I had no worries; home was my safety blanket.
On a particular Sunday morning, everything changed. I was sleeping comfortably in bed and later was awakened to mild screeches and crying. Curious, I abruptly jumped out of bed. As I got closer, walking from the kitchen to the dining room, the cries got louder, and my heart beat faster. My sister came around the wall and startled me. She told me softly while sobbing, “Mom died.” I ran back into my room and hid under my sheets. As anyone my age would do I started to cry because I was confused, scared, and was trying to process that my best friend, my counselor, my leader, my mom was gone forever.
Two years before her death I learned that my mom had breast cancer. I was shy and scared; I felt like a fish out of the water. Then it happened out of the blue. What was a cub supposed to do without his tigress?
I was still a timid young boy who was going to encounter another milestone without my supporter. I was applying to high school – Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. I was scared and worried until I found out the school admitted me. I knew it was a sign, and I took the opportunity. I changed my attitude by becoming more confident in myself and from then on I made a promise to myself and my mom to do my best and achieve the highest I could.
Many opportunities came knocking on the door. I was elected class Vice President, I interned over the summer, and I am in an advanced college preparatory course. Most importantly I am a mentor to many, including my younger brother and two younger cousins.
The promise I made to my mother and myself enhanced my character and made me realize my real value. My experience has shaped who I am, and it has set a purpose for me. No matter what profession I eventually choose, I want to be a mentor for others because I know what it was like to struggle without one.
A great and powerful woman has left earth, but she has left behind a legacy who will do anything in his power to achieve anything that comes his way. There will be some failure, but I will get right back on my feet and keep moving. I am a young man with big dreams and ambition, and I will not stop until I achieve them.
We are proud to announce Ajit Samra is one of the current DiversityJobs Scholarship finalists. Vote for his essay (Facebook ‘Like’ and other social media sharing options in left column), click the ‘heart’ just above comments section below, and/or leave comments of support to help us with the selection process.