It is difficult to select one specific event in my life that has ultimately

shaped my character. Athough I long for ease and simplicity, my life to

date has been far too complex to single out a specific circumstance that

defines me as a whole. The

man I am today is due largely in part to a

culmination of events otherwise known as “my life”. The child I was is a

distant remembrance of a more innocent time, when life was simple and

trouble free. The man I am today results from 18 years of experiance,

some of which I am proud, others I wish I could deny. And finally, the

man I aim to be is predicated upon happenings that have yet to occur.

Though I cannot identify a precise event in my life that was particularly

earth shattereing, I can say that the events surronding the demise of my

family had a profound affect on my life and my outlook upon life in

general.

My early years were pleasant and seemingly “normal”. I was raised in

Brooklyn with my brother and sister. I took for granted the joys of a

traditional family. My dad worked, my mom cooked dinner every night.

The ignorance of my youth would not allow me to see that these simple

pleasures we shared as a family were in fact a privilidge, an indulgence I

would soon come to learn would be eventualy denied.

Like most boys in their early teens, I was active in sports. My father was

took an active interest in my brother and I, practicing with us ,coaching

us and helping us to develop the neccessary skills needed to succeed.

Blinded by the ideals of youth, I thought my life and family were perfect.

I was soon to be proven wrong. A rude awakening that shattered my world

upon realizing that life is not perfect, families fall apart and people you

love can hurt you on levels you never dreamed possible.

Years went by and the tension between my parents grew increasing more

intolerable. The level of stress in our home was greater then I could have

ever imagined and my once perfect family was now disintegrating before

my eyes. As a child I felt helpless, as the situation was beyond my control.

My relationship with my father slowly began to deteriorate, as did his

relationship with the remaining members of our family.

In a last ditch effort to heal our wounded family, it was decided that we

make a move. Just prior to entering High School, my parents purchased a

home on Staten Island. Deep in my heart, I was desperately hoping that

this would prove to be a fresh start, a new beginning. However, tragicly,

this would be the last time my “perfect” family would ever be together as

one.

In retrospect, this experiance has changed my life, as I view nothing as

permanant or everlasting. I live each day as if it were my last and veiw the obstacles

in my life as a challenge rather than a set back. I try to seize each moment and live

for the day because life has taught me that today is here for the taking, promises are

fragile with a history of breaking and tomorrow is far to uncertain for the

planning.