Can some one PLEASE proofread my paper? It's a personal narrative. Thanks! :)

Kendall Miller

EN 101

4, October 2011

Word Count: 1228

Getting Back in the Saddle

Gazing at the sun rising over the stables on our early morning trail ride is a memory that is forever imprinted in my mind. The horse stables represented a certain unexplainable bond between my mother and I. It was there where my mother would sit on the fence for hours and watch every one of my riding lessons. At ten years old, I believed that I possessed all that I could ever ask for and more. I had a loving family, the opportunity to ride my horse everyday, and an amazing mother to make it all possible. What I did not expect was to have it all ripped out of my life in an instant.

It was a Saturday morning in September and the day of my most important horse show yet. I took one look out at the crowd and my palms began to sweat profusely. My heart felt as if it was pounding out of my chest and I was anticipating the words “Kendall Miller, you may begin.” For one last time, I peered out at the crowd and, sure enough, my mother was sitting in the front row. She had a video camera attached to her hand, making sure she did not miss one moment of my big day. Before I knew it, the results were in and, again, I found myself anticipating the announcer’s voice. My nervousness soon turned into excitement when I discovered I had been awarded Grand Champion of the hunter jumper division. Along with a trophy that was taller than myself, my mother and I received two invitations to a winner’s banquet that would be held later that night. In addition to such a fulfilling day at the horse show, the banquet was just the icing on the cake. The night consisted of dancing, food, friends, and family. We had such an amazing time celebrating that we were even a bit hesitant to leave.

While walking on the way to our car, my mother suddenly stopped and turned to me. She smiled, lightly kissed my forehead, and let me know just how proud she was of me and my accomplishments. I smiled back, realizing how thankful I truly am to have her as a mother, and jumped in the back seat. We had only been driving about five minutes before we had reached a busy intersection. I quickly looked to my left to see a silver car begin to speed towards us. Little did I know that the silver car was the last thing I would remember before waking up to layers of shattered glass and thick black smoke. Panicking and not realizing any injuries of my own, I climbed up to the front seat to see if my mother was okay. As much as I prayed, shouted, and shook her to wake up, she remained unresponsive. It was then when I realized that my mother had been killed on impact.

Before I knew it, I was at home and sitting in my bedroom with my family. I had been replaying the crash in my head continuously, not ready to accept that it was real. Although I was screaming on the inside, not a word came out of my mouth. I was in a state of shock. In a blink of an eye, my world was turned upside down. I felt as if life would never be the same.

Weeks went by, as I would pass the horse stables every morning on the way to school. Although it was a place that provided me with so many vivid memories, the stables now seemed almost lifeless in my eyes. I strongly believed that I could never ride again. Weeks soon turned to months and I would lay awake at night staring at the oversize trophy that I had won that day. I felt almost as if it was taunting me. I kept telling myself that if I had not won that day, my life would be the same and my mother would still be here with me.

One early morning, I woke up to a small note stuck to my bedroom door. Written on it was a quote from Murie Curie that read, “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained." At the bottom of the note it read; “meet me at the stables at seven.” Curious as to whom exactly it was that I would be meeting, I hesitantly made my way to the stables. Approaching the gate, I was surprised to find that it was, in fact, my sister standing alongside my horse. She handed me the reins and said to me, “This is what mom would have wanted you to do. Although she won’t be watching from the fence post, she has a much better view from where she is sitting now. She would be so proud to see you ride again. I just know it.” I soon felt guilty and selfish for forgetting that my own sister, brother, and father were going through the same hardship as I was. My sister’s encouraging words served as a reminder to myself about how truly grateful I am, and should be, to still have the loving and caring family that I have today. That day, my sister and I went out for a morning trail ride. After months of feeling nothing, I had finally started to feel again. It felt as if I had never gotten off my saddle. I had become overwhelmed with happiness and felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. Before turning our horses back to the gate, we stopped for a moment and watched the beautiful sun rise over the stables. It instantly reminded me of the day my mom and I went on our morning trail ride. It felt no different to me because I knew my mother was standing right next to us the entire time.

The wise Confucius once said, "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do." Losing my mother was the hardest thing I have ever had to go through, but it also has shaped me into whom I am today. On the day I rode again, an amazing amount of courage grew within me. It was an amount that had I never thought I could achieve. Ever since that day, I have never stopped riding, nor have I stopped believing in myself. I have grown to realize that, although it can be hard to endure, tragedy serves as a life lesson to all of us and makes us internally stronger. Because of this tragedy, I have become grateful for every opportunity that has come my way and the loving family that supports each and every one. I have been given the chance to share my story and wisdom to those who are facing the hardships that I have endured. My courage is a newfound strength that has flourished within me. I cannot help but to thank my mother for giving me that courage every second of everyday.