“The Fork in the Road”
The implication of a few people’s actions has a cause and effect. Because of their decision, I had hard choices that would change my life. Can I say that I’m proud? I don’t share this as a part of my life with many; it’s not that I am ashamed but hurt! Given the opportunity, how would life be for me if the decisions of others had not been imposed on me?
1981 changed my life forever. My parents argued and had physical altercations for many years. Unfortunately, they put me in the middle of their arguments; this would make me terribly upset and nervous. The unforgettable day April 19th, 1981, on Easter Sunday, would be the last day I would spend with my mother. That day would result in her murder in front of me. It was a day that changed the trajectory of my life. After the death of my mother and her funeral services in Texas, I returned to Ohio to finish the ninth grade that year.
By the end of July, I moved to Texas and would start the 10th grade that year in August. I was looking forward to a fresh start because I wouldn’t know anyone. Again, I would have another blow. I ended up in the hospital for a month. I didn’t need any more on my plate. I was so exhausted from the death of my mother and dealing with my illness. Everything started with the domino effect of falling behind in high school. In December (1981), I received a subpoena from the DA’s office of Youngstown, Ohio, to testify in court. I knew by then that I was so far behind in school, I could not catch up. I spent the following year (1982) in and out of court for months.
So, the fork in the road, what was I going to do? I was young, only sixteen, no home and nowhere to go! I felt I didn’t have the same opportunity as my sisters and brothers. I was the youngest of all the children. My choices are to drop out of school or to be homeless and get involved in drugs or prostitution. So, what was I going to do? I decided to drop out of school and get a job to make money and to take care of myself. I worked hard and sometimes had two jobs, but I surrounded myself with good friends from whom I could gain much knowledge. I worked my way up in Retail Management in the Hotel and Airport industry. I had an incredible career for seventeen years in that field. Unexpectedly, I was dealt another blow with my health, and unfortunately, I was not able to work.
Over time, I have been thinking about what I want to do or accomplish now. I felt that since I had the time to return to school, this would be the perfect opportunity to finish my education and get my high school diploma. Over this past Christmas holiday, a commercial for The Excel Center existed. The advertisement was talking about getting their high school diploma. The opportunity presented itself, so I reached out to start the enrollment process. I could barely contain myself! I sent a message through Facebook and an email showing my interest in enrolling in school. I was so excited because I knew the time was right for me now; this was my first term at The Excel Center. My end goal is to get my high diploma and further my college education.
What if my upbringing was different? Would I be the person I am today? Despite all the adversity and the obstacles, I have risen to the challenges in life. I am the person I am today because I did not lose myself and stayed focused. My education was the fork in the road.
- This essay was written on February 22, 2018, for English class.
Written by: Greg MD
Greg MD Blog 
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