The One Thing I Would Like To Change

       If I could change one event in my life it would be that I was not there when my grandfather, Cirilo Serrano, passed away. My grandpa had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's when I was about eight years old so I did not get to know him that well. As I grew older, his memory and the person he was slowly deteriorated, which is another thing I would change in my life. But right now I am talking about his death.

      Throughout the years after he was diagnosed, he lost three brothers to Alzheimer's as well and his health was a roller coaster as his disease got more widespread. Then when I was thirteen years old his health reached an all time low. The Sunday before he died was the day before I had to leave for my Washington D.C. and Philadelphia trip, and that same day we had gotten a call from the nursing home. When we arrived he was in bad health, and I could not believe that this was happening the day before it was time for me to go. I had hoped that he would make it through or hold on until I got back home, but that is not how it happened.
My grandfather had died that Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 at 3:32 AM. I had found out through a text message from my cousin in the middle of the afternoon, and when I read it I could not control my tears and I broke down. Although it is sad and tragic that I could not be there to say goodbye to my grandpa, I know that everything happens for a reason so I am certain I was not meant to be there during that moment. This is something that I have grown to accept over the past year.

       If I had been there I would have been affected in two ways. One, I would probably be scarred from having to see him take his last breath and go through the pain and agony I am sure he went through, but I would at least be there with my family and have support when it happened. Secondly, I would feel better and not live with the regret of not being able to say my goodbye. Despite all of this, I know that me not being there has made me a stronger person and has opened my eyes to how sudden death can come. I now know that no matter what someone goes through in their life, it will make them stronger and they WILL get through it.

His obituary

Cirilo Serrano 2007, A little after he was first diagnosed.

My grandpa washing one of his classic cars that he loved so much. 1970's

 

My grandpa, Cirilo Serrano, and grandma, Carmen Serrano, on their wedding day with close family. 1973

My grandpa's grave site. R.I.P Grandpa. I love you.

Something I Value

          One of the things I value the most is my friendship with Rachel Freeman. I value my friendship with Rachel because she is one of the few people that I can tell anything to without feeling judged. This is important to me because now a days it is hard to find friends who will stick by a persons side through whatever they are going through and not turn on them or tell people their business. That is why I am not a very open person and it is hard for me to trust people, but I can honestly say Rachel is one person who I can completely trust and turn to if I need someone to be there for me or give me advice. This is the reason why she knows the most about me compared to many other people. She is someone who can make me smile at my worst moments, help me cry or scream if I need to get my emotions out, and someone who can either calm me down or get as angry as I am in certain situations. Rachel is one person I know that will be by my side through thick and thin.

Rachel is one of the few amazing people in my life who I can trust with my past, my present, and future because I know that she will not turn on me or give all my secrets away. She will just be there to keep me laughing and smiling through my struggles. I feel strongly in my heart that we will stay friends after high school and stay by each others side even when it feels as if the world is out to get us. In life people turn on each other as fast as lightening which is why I surround myself with people who are genuine and real, just like Rachel. These are the reasons why my friendship with Rachel Freeman is one of the things I value the most.

The Most Interesting Thing I Did This Summer...

The most interesting thing I did this summer was get to know my uncle, Collin. Since I know what you are thinking, let me clarify. No, I did not just meet my uncle. I had met him when I was about five years old, but I did not get to know him until this summer. The reason as to why I am just beginning to form a relationship with him is because he lived about 2,020 miles away in Seattle, but in May he moved to Ohio and now I see him more often.

Even though he is my uncle, do not think he is an old geezer because he is only twenty-one as of July fourth. Throughout the last three months, I have gotten to know him very well. For example, I know he is a huge dork, but it is all good because everyone is in their own their individual ways, he can be weird which is good because he can fit in with my sisters and me, he is one of the sweetest people you can ever meet, he is really random, and so funny. Although he is weird, random, and funny, he does know when to be serious and mature which is good because now a days people think everything is a joke, which it is not. These are all great qualities about my uncle and I am happy that I have gotten closer to him. Before I had not known him and now I find it amazing how great we get along. This is the most interesting thing I did this summer, and even though it is not as great as other people's it is perfect to me.

Mariyah Adrianna Judson

Mariyah Adrianna Judson
Each part of my name has many different meanings to me and others surrounding me.
Mariyah
For my mother, Mariyah means her first born child,
It means the one who taught her how to be a mother and how to handle many responsibilities thrown her way.
Mariyah may be a longer version of her name, Maria, but it is a name that will be engraved in her heart forever.
Mariyah Adrianna Judson
For my father, Mariyah means the same to him as it does to my mother.
I was their first child and this is why I will forever hold the keys to both of their hearts.
As for my middle name, Adrianna, it as interpretation of my father's name, Andre.
And Judson
That is my last name, my sisters' last names, my father's last name, my grandma's last name, etc.
And it is important to all of us because we all know it links us all together like a chain holding charms full of memories.
It is a last name in which we all share, that has been passed down through generations and it links us to numerous family members leading back in time.
Judson is a name that bonds my father and me together on multiple levels.
My name means many things to many other people as well.
But to me.
Mariyah Adrianna Judson is my identity, it is what I make of it.
I can choose who I want to be, and as my life progresses I get to choose many different paths.
And going along with me down the "yellow brick road" will be my name..Mariyah Adrianna Judson.
It makes me who I am, and it may not be the coolest, most unique or best name out there.
But it is what I've got to make the best of along my journey through life.
For me, my name carries a tide of never-ending stories and possibilities, just like the oceans carry many treasures along their never-ending voyages all across the Earth.