Human life is a series of decisions taken. Every person goes through a decision making process multiple times a day starting from basic things such as what clothes to wear, and what to have for lunch to major choices, such as choosing a future profession. Throughout my life, I often had to make a choice. Sometimes I hesitate between the options because each has its advantages and disadvantages. In such cases, I try to pull myself together and make a quick cost and benefit analysis. I have a good example of making a right choice in my life that influenced my personality.
When I was nine years old, I spent a lot of time outside, playing with other children. Mike lived right across from our house and was one of my best friends. Mike was always playful and fun to be around. I remember playing with his older sister Julia. Julia was only a few years older than us. She often wore an orange plaid shirt that would perfectly match her freckles and long ginger hair. Julia always seemed to be out of this space. Sometimes Julia would walk for miles alone and come back with a huge smile on her face. Her body looked fragile just as her fine nature: her legs, hands, and neck looked very thin, almost if she suffered from some disease.
I did not see Julia much that winter as she stopped playing with us. Once in the spring, coming back from school I accidentally saw her outside. I was surprised to find out she was almost bald. Only some hair stuck out on her temples. After noticing me, Julia quickly got inside the house. I was confused and amazed that she could shave a magnificent bush of ginger hair. Later, my parents explained that she had a severe disease called “cancer.” They told me all about cancer, its causes, treatment, and the fatal outcomes. Cancer attacked her organism; therefore she lost her hair. I wanted to help Julia and asked my mother for advice. She told me that Julia was already going through chemotherapy, but she could not grow her hair back soon. My mother said: “You can donate your hair to Julie so that she can make a wig and feel better.” I immediately looked at my hair. I had been growing my hair for the last two years because I liked Brad Pitt’s haircut in the movie “Legends of the fall.” At that time, my hair had grown past my shoulders, and I loved it. After a day of thinking, I decided to donate my hair to Julie.
It was probably the biggest and the toughest decision for a nine-year-old boy. After two years of growing my hair, I had to choose between keeping it and shaving it to support Julia and encourage her to fight cancer. Julia was happy when we brought her new wig. It did not really match her freckles, but she seemed to be pleased with the new hairstyle. This choice had taught me not to be selfish, think about others and be compassionate towards the troubles of others.