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An Exceptional Birthday in the USA

Ksa  Small  Razan  Alaqil  Flag Hosted  N  Carolina Birthday Pic

by Razan Alaqil, YES 2014-15, Saudi Arabia

I was born with a broken arm, came to life with an injury, struggled to breathe and stay alive, and survived. Year after year, I got older between two great parents, and four siblings. We created memories on each birthday, had different cake flavors every year, but we all shared the same happiness as it grew throughout the years. My dad sent me a text this morning and said "This birthday is exceptional dear." My mom called me and we talked for a long time as I told her how I'm spending this day, without them.

Last year I wrote about the people who influenced my sixteen years, but now I'm going to write about how I grew up in only one year.

I'm lucky for everything I have, and this sense of gratefulness has been affecting the way I look at life this year. Living a good life and leaving a good legacy for people to remember who I am is my dream. Helping others is what I live to try to do. Being a good kid and making my parents proud is my goal in life. But sleeping satisfied with my day every night with a smile on my face is the reason behind my positiveness.

I spent this birthday in a different way, and clearly, in a different place. I enjoyed it with students from eleven countries, and my great host family. I didn't know what to expect from my emotions, because people keep on telling me how brave and strong I am for coming here, but all of that strength faded away when I read my parents' card. We are the ambassadors, the future of the world depends on us, okay I get that. My parents are proud, okay, finally. Am I getting homesick? No, I'm not.

Being here, being surrounded by these amazing people, being an ambassador on this program is all worth it for me. Because now I can say that I'm proud of myself for getting here and accomplishing something that's worth all of the hard times. We'll never know how strong we are until we go through something this big. Our hope will rise in the toughest times. Our hearts will beat in fear, but we will always find a way to satisfy our emotions with enough happiness and excitement. Our dreams define us, and my dream defines me on my 17th birthday. Our good reputations are our valuable legacies to leave behind.

I am Razan Alaqil, today I grew one year older; today I made myself proud. And this is what I have to tell you: dream, believe and smile. Find your own story to tell with pride and stand out even when people are against what you're doing. 


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