1. Please describe a positive scene from childhood in detail. What led up to this event? When and where did it happen? Who was involved? What were you thinking and feeling? Why is it an important event? What impact did it have on you?
One positive scene that stands out from my childhood was a camping trip with my grandmother. My grandmother enjoying the company of her grandchildren led up to this event. This event happened during the summer of 1992 at Big Bear Lake in West Virginia. I have a huge family and my grandmother embarked on a camping trip with eleven of her grandchildren who were from different areas of the United States I was a shy child with few friends and this trip helped me to "come out of my shell." It made me feel a sense of cohesiveness for my roots and helped me realize that it is okay to express myself. After this trip, I made more friends at school and became more social.
2. Please describe a negative scene from childhood in detail. What led up to this event? When and where did it happen? Who was involved? What were you thinking and feeling? Why is it an important event? What impact did it have on you?
One negative scene from my childhood was being involved in a fire that destroyed my home. It was an electrical fire and I was four years old. My mother and brother were also home during the fire. I remember watching my home burn from my neighbor's front porch. I was frightened by the thoughts that I would no longer have a home, the images and sounds terrified me. I was afraid of the firefighters and their fire fighting attire, I did not understand that they were helping us out. Now, I always feel an adrenaline rush when I hear a siren or see a firefighter in their gear.
One negative scene from my childhood was being involved in a fire that destroyed my home. It was an electrical fire and I was four years old. My mother and brother were also home during the fire. I remember watching my home burn from my neighbor's front porch. I was frightened by the thoughts that I would no longer have a home, the images and sounds terrified me. I was afraid of the firefighters and their fire fighting attire, I did not understand that they were helping us out. Now, I always feel an adrenaline rush when I hear a siren or see a firefighter in their gear.
3. Describe a particular event from your teen-aged years that stands out in your memory today. This can be positive or negative. What led up to the event? What happened? Where and when? Who was involved? What were you thinking and feeling? Why is it an important event? What impact did the event have on you.
One positive event from my teen-aged years was my high school graduation. I confronted a lot of issues during my senior year of high school. It seemed that my world was falling apart on a lot of levels. People getting divorced and having marital issues, plus my own sense of teenage rebellion made getting through school a little more difficult than it had in previous years. My family and friends were involved. My high school graduation provided a sense that I can overcome the situations that are presented to me and I that I am in control of my destiny.
One positive event from my teen-aged years was my high school graduation. I confronted a lot of issues during my senior year of high school. It seemed that my world was falling apart on a lot of levels. People getting divorced and having marital issues, plus my own sense of teenage rebellion made getting through school a little more difficult than it had in previous years. My family and friends were involved. My high school graduation provided a sense that I can overcome the situations that are presented to me and I that I am in control of my destiny.
4. Describe a vivid or important memory from any time in your adult years. Again, this can be positive or negative. It can be about anything – family, work, whatever. The scene stands out in your mind today as being especially vivid or important. Please describe what led up to the event. Then describe the scene in detail. What happened? Where and when? Who was involved? What were you thinking and feeling? Why is it an important event? What impact has the event had on you?
One vivid memory of my adult years was getting my first professional job. I finally felt that I had succeeded! On my first day of work at this agency, I remember walking down a long corridor of maroon carpet while being introduced to people who continue to be important fixtures in my life years later. I was so proud of myself and felt a sense of belonging. This event was important because it showed me that hard work pays off. The impact of this event was a sense of empowerment and that I can overcome obstacles to reach my goals.
One vivid memory of my adult years was getting my first professional job. I finally felt that I had succeeded! On my first day of work at this agency, I remember walking down a long corridor of maroon carpet while being introduced to people who continue to be important fixtures in my life years later. I was so proud of myself and felt a sense of belonging. This event was important because it showed me that hard work pays off. The impact of this event was a sense of empowerment and that I can overcome obstacles to reach my goals.
5. In looking back on your life, you may be able to identify particular “turning points” – episodes through which you experienced an important change in your life. Please choose one key turning point scene and describe it in detail. If you feel your life story contains no clear turning points, then describe a particular episode in your life that comes closer than any other to qualifying for a turning point – a scene where you changed in some way. Again, please describe what led up to the event, what happened in the event, where and when it happened, who was involved, what you were thinking and feeling, and so on. Also, please tell me how you think you changed as a result of this event and why you consider this event to be an important scene in your life story today.
One scene that I would consider a "turning point" in my life involved the death of my grandmother. She came from a tumultuous and extremely poor upbringing. After successfully raising seven children, she enrolled in college and fullfilled her goal of becoming a nurse. Three months after her retirement, she passed away as a result of a car accident. At 20, I had dropped out of college and worked a minimum wage job. This event empowered me to complete my education. In a way, I feel that my success honors my grandmother's emphasis on education and the value of not giving up. Now, I am close to completing my Master's Degree in Education and I always think of my grandmother when facing an uphill battle and, ultimately, persevere.
One scene that I would consider a "turning point" in my life involved the death of my grandmother. She came from a tumultuous and extremely poor upbringing. After successfully raising seven children, she enrolled in college and fullfilled her goal of becoming a nurse. Three months after her retirement, she passed away as a result of a car accident. At 20, I had dropped out of college and worked a minimum wage job. This event empowered me to complete my education. In a way, I feel that my success honors my grandmother's emphasis on education and the value of not giving up. Now, I am close to completing my Master's Degree in Education and I always think of my grandmother when facing an uphill battle and, ultimately, persevere.
Thanks for sharing! Like you, my grandmother played an important part in my life - I miss her.
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion for your dramatic question: Walking along the maroon carpet on the first day of my first job made me think of my grandmother.
Good Luck!
A suggestion for a possible question is how your experience as a child still makes you feel today when you hear a fire truck.
ReplyDeleteWhat an admirable person your grandmother was!
ReplyDeleteYou have some great suggestions already so I found a quotes that could benefit your digital story: “Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds”
Great quote to frame a story!
DeleteObviously family in general and your grandmother in particular are important to you. I would love to hear and see a "Letter to Grandma," how did her overcoming of life challenges and your experiences with her influence you into become the woman today that she would be proud of.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother was important to me also. Whenever I need a little extra strength, I wear one of her rings she gave me a few months before she passed.
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion, "My grandmother was a strong woman. She empowers me to be the woman I am today."
Your grandmother obviously played a big role in your life. I think a digital story about how her overcoming adversity contributed to your own success would be a fitting homage.
ReplyDeleteI really like the suggestion from Sarah Cline. I think it would be neat to incorporate that quote into your digital story.
ReplyDeleteA suggestion for your story could be to incorporate your whole story around the life of your grandmother and how she was your strength through all your struggles.
ReplyDeleteI think a good dramatic question could be my grandmother helps me get up the hill. Gramdmas are so special aren't they.
ReplyDeleteYou are all making great suggestions for each others stories! Thank-you for willingness to share these stories!
ReplyDelete