Personal Reflection Essay

Personal Reflection Essay Personal Reflection Essay Courtney Simmons AP English Due: February 1, 2013 Reflection When I was in tenth grade my baby brother, Carter, was born. However, this was three months before his actual due date. This event caused a big effect on my life; I fell behind in school as my parents stayed in Albany for 3 months to be with him. On September 26, 2010, I was in New Jersey visiting a friend when my cousin, Michaela called me and told me her mom, my aunt, had to bring my mom to the hospital. Later that night, I found out my baby brother had been born, by an emergency caesarian section, weighing only 3 pounds and not breathing. He was rushed to Albany Medical where he stayed in the NICU until December. My parents both went to stay with him and all of my siblings stayed with my older brother. Being home by myself was lonely and I’ve always been very close with my mom, so every chance I got I would go to Albany to see her. I ended up falling behind on a lot of school work, being 15 and not having a parent there to make sure I made up everything I missed. When my parents and Carter came home, things definitely turned around. My whole family was back together, in one house, for the first time in almost three months. Going through this showed me not only the value of family, but also the importance to stay focused. Looking back I would’ve always tried harder in school, but especially at this time. However, I can’t change this now, so I’ve accepted it and used it as a lesson for the