Alexis W., Incarnation Catholic School
A Hug That Changed Everything
A time I chose to be happy was at my great-grandma’s funeral. While everyone around me was grieving and overwhelmed with sadness, I made the decision to be a source of comfort and strength. I was only about 7 or 8 years old, this was back in 2017 or 2018, but the memory is still vivid in my mind. During the service, my grandma began to tear up while listening to a speech about the kind and generous person her mother had been. Having recently lost her father as well, her sorrow was deep and heavy. Even at that young age, I could feel the weight of her emotions, and I knew I wanted to help.
I didn’t think too much about what I was doing at the time. I simply saw how heartbroken my family was and decided to act. I offered my grandma a hug and some kind words. I chose to be strong for the people who couldn’t be at that moment. It was my way of reminding them that, as long as we had each other, we could get through it together.
To this day, my grandma has never forgotten what I did. She still thanks me for being a light in such a dark moment. My parents were extremely proud too. They told me that seeing me step up made them feel like they had done something right in raising me. That moment taught me just how powerful our actions and words can reflect our true character and can bring comfort in unexpected ways.
My small gesture made those around me feel supported and seen. It helped ease their pain, even if just a little. Because I was so young, my actions served as a quiet reminder that anyone, regardless of age, can make a meaningful difference. It showed them that if I could find the strength to stay hopeful, they could too.
That experience helped me understand the importance of attitude. Attitude is more than just how you feel. A positive attitude can lift you up, even in the hardest moments, while a negative attitude can make even small problems feel overwhelming. You may not be able to control what happens around you, but you can control how you respond, and that choice can change your life.
I know I’ll carry this lesson with me for the rest of my life. In stressful or difficult situations, it would be easy to give up or feel hopeless, but I’ll remember that choosing a positive attitude gives me strength. Whether I'm working with others, facing setbacks, or trying to reach a goal, staying kind, hopeful, and encouraging will help me move forward and bounce back from failure.
My grandma always repeats this quote “Attitude is the lens you see the world through. Clean and clear, you see opportunity. Foggy and scratched, everything looks like a problem.” That wisdom continues to guide me, and I know it will help me become the person I want to be.
