“I found her! I found her! ” my heart racing, palms sweating. I never met this woman before, but I knew she was the one for whom I was looking. Looking worried, she paced side to side covering her mouth. My initial reaction was to get to her and fast. Without hesitation I ran to the end of the platform, down the stairs, through the tunnel and past the suffocating smell of urine. She’s getting away, I rushed; out of breath I said “Excuse me, Miss? ” “Can I talk to you for one second? ” At this point, a question in mind may be why I was chasing a woman I had never met before.
It may seem like a lawsuit waiting to happen, but I had a gut feeling that I needed to talk to her regardless of what it took. She looked at me, and without letting her say a word I said, “You are an amazing woman, God sees you as his treasure, and don’t you ever forget that. ” She began crying, I continued, “I am on a mission trip with my church. We have been seeking people who we have been led to us by God to reassure them that there are people who still care. ” At this point she was hysterically crying while my partner stood at my side; she hugged us and said, “You two saved me…
I was on my way to do something stupid. You helped me see the light and stopped my plans to kill myself. ” My heart sunk deep inside my chest. At thirteen, I did not understand the power of words until she spoke. I did not understand that saying a few words to someone could stop them from taking their own life. At that very moment she changed my life. While helping her, she unconsciously helped me. It was almost as though I was her angel and she was mine. She is the reason why I have so much passion and determination to help those in need.
Four years later, while volunteering at a Senior Center, I realized I was near the same train station where I had this encounter. Walking through the station, I realized that she will always live in my heart. This woman helped me understand that we all have problems, some bigger than others. Now my outlook on life is to help people in need instead of being stuck on my own struggles. From that day on, I made a promise to myself to always help others, regardless of who the person is or what problems they are facing. I have seen how lives can be changed because of one person.
My family and I are living examples of just that. Through political asylum we were able to arrive to this country with the support and the protection of the United States. My ultimate goal is to be a part of the U. S. Immigration Department, granting political asylums to families who are crying out for help and to be one who changes the lives of others for better. I want to be the small percentage of students who are successful, something that is not commonly heard of in Elizabeth. This is only the beginning of my journey and I will not stop now.
