Everyday, life provides each of us with a wide array of experiences. Some good, and some not so good. Occasionally, some truly great ones. And unfortunately, life hands us some truly horrific experiences. It is through those experiences and the way we react to them that our character is shaped. We cannot control all of the experiences we encounter, but we always have the opportunity to control how we choose to react to them. Experiences can be helpful to us, because there is always a chance to improve our performance by putting ourselves into "learning experiences".
             One of the significant events that made an impact in my life was the death of my Grandfather last February 24, 2002. It was my first encounter with death. I had heard of others people's death but had not meant anything to me. All i could show was sympathy. Unless you love someone and he then dies, you cannot really encounter death: Death can only be encountered in the death of a loved one because it strikes you hard. When love and death surround you there is a transformation, an immense mutation, as if a new being is born. You are never the same again. Without love, death does not give you the keys to existence. With love, it hands over to you the keys to all that is.
             My first experience of death was not a simple encounter. It was complex in many ways. The man I had loved was dying. I had known him as my father. He had raised us like his own children with full support and love. We were always dependent on him. Having him gone didn't make it easy for us because we had to cut down on our expenses and adjust to a new life. His absence encouraged me to be strong because I wanted to be like him. I wanted to be remembered as someone who dedicated his life by serving others. This event can be considered as the first experience, which left a deep impact and influence on my mind. From that day onward
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