A pivotal point in someone's life is usually deemed an instance in which one's character and ideals prior to the occurrence are forever altered and molded, forming a new outlook on life. In life we all encounter certain obstacles, trials and tribulations in which we must struggle and persevere through. However, by perseverance we emerge from the situation a stronger individual. Though we all have numerous stories involving "Us vs. Adversity- or "Us vs. the World,"" we all, no matter whom we converse with can name one instance, one pivotal point in which our world was forever different. Whether it is the death of a family member or friend, the first time we had our heart broken, or even something positive such as our first job, everyone has a story. .
My pivotal point occurred October 14, 1996 in the small town of Covington, Virginia. It was on this day, in this small town in which I witnessed the murder of my 19-year-old cousin Jonathon or "Johnny- as the rest of the family knew him. In every family I believe there is one person in whom we can identify with the best, someone whom we admire and constantly imitate. Johnny was that person to me. He seemed to have taken a "shine- to me even when I was a small child. He always looked out for me, when I wanted a particular article of clothing or pair of shoes that my parents thought was too expensive, I always knew he would get it for me. Though a lot of his influence may have been viewed as negative, I didn't care what he did, or how he lived; I just knew that I wanted to be like him.
We were in town because of my grandfather's recent passing. I still remember the day in its entirety, from waking up and smelling my grandmother frying bacon in the kitchen, to the pitter-patter of my younger cousins feet scurrying around the house. My cousin Marcus had just run in five minutes before in attempts to wake me, all to no avail. I quickly got dressed, washed up, ran in the kitchen and hurriedly stuffed my face with the bacon and biscuits my grandmother had previously prepared.