<p>An eight inch metal rod struck my right eye when I was seven years old. I was born in the Philippines and was raised there for almost half of my life. I am fluent in the language, and know about my culture as much as any regular Filipino would. Just like any normal family, I lived with both of my parents and three younger brothers. My parents were extremely strict about all things that a parent can be strict about. And as the eldest out of the siblings, I was expected to be responsible for them and set the best possible example that I can. I was thought many things from my family, but no matter what, respect was the most important thing.
My father had extremely important guests over for dinner and was told to behave and show respect. Sad part is, I did not follow the rules. After the guests have left, my father took me into the bedroom, scolded me, then grabbed the nearest object in his sight, which was a metal rod. He swung the rod down on the bed, but the end of the rod flew off and pierced me on my right eye.
My wound eventually healed, but my eye sight has not. I remember constant visits to professional ophthalmologists, day in and day out, until a doctor told me that I cannot fully get my sight back. It was tiring, the constant commute back and forth, all the paper work and questions asked that seem to come at me in an unstoppable flow. Back then, I hated it. Now that I look back, I’m very thankful for it.
There is nothing in this whole wide world, no, this galaxy that is a much better learning tool than life. There was this moment when my father was sitting in his room, and I just happened to be passing by. I saw in his eyes, regret, remorse, guilt, and anger just clouding up his mind. I flashed a smile and tears ran down his face, and I flashed him reassuring smile that everything is okay, and tears ran down his cheeks. Experiencing all these hardships in my life has made me the man I am today. All those one hour visits to the clinic has thought me patience, a very important gist of living a good life. Although I was young, I learned to forgive. I forgave the man that could have potentially ruined my life, and he could have ruined my life. Instead, he gave me the boost to strive and endure, to make the most out of everything. That point in my life has taught me sacrifice, and not just the sacrifice that I had to make, but to also to recognize the sacrifices and effort that other people make for you. I told myself that I will never ever let my parents be in that situation.
Those trials have definitely shaped my goals. The experiences that I’ve went through during those times has pushed me to aim higher, and to aspire great things. I never would have thought that such a traumatic event would lead me to towards succesful events.</p>