Untitled

[prabhdeol]

The Snow Outside My Window

Subtitle: A Non-Linear Journey Through Loss, Responsibility, and Hope

The snow gently falls outside my window, covering the streets of Canada with silence.

I believe most people see me now and think I am strong, living alone in another country, pursuing my education and opportunities.

However, strength was something I have never really possessed.

Sometimes, in quiet moments of the night, my thoughts drift back to when it all changed.

Flashback - A House That Suddenly Felt Empty

I remember the day my mom died.

The house that was once full of laughter and joy was now silent. My dad tried to be strong for me and my younger brother, but it was hard to hide the pain in his eyes.

My younger brother was still too young to fully understand what was going on.

I knew one thing for sure, though: things would never be the same again.

Flashback - Growing Up Too Quickly

Since my mom passed away, responsibility came into my life sooner than I thought it would.

I started to help my younger brother with school and other things in his life. I wanted him to feel safe even though I was feeling lost myself.

However, some things in life cannot be replaced. The memory of my mom was something that was always with me in silence.

Flashforward - The Airport Goodbye

Years later, I found myself in an airport, hugging my family tightly.

After completing my Grade 12, I had decided to move to Canada for further education.

This was one of the toughest decisions I had ever made.

I had to leave my father, my younger brother, and my stepmother behind.

However, I knew that this journey could be the key to my future, which would help me support my family.

As the airplane took off into the sky, I felt scared, but at the same time, I felt determined.

Present - Life In A New Country

Living in Canada is both exciting and challenging.

Sometimes, I feel lonely, especially during the night.

However, every time I feel like giving up, I remember why I started this journey.

I remember my family.

I remember my mother.

And I move on.

Flashforward - The Women I Am Becoming

Sometimes, I imagine my future.

I imagine that one day, I shall be strong, having finished my education, built my life, and achieved my independence.

I shall be able to support my father and my younger brother.

I shall be able to live up to the sacrifices that led me on this journey.

My mother may not be there to see me succeed, but she is guiding me every step of the way.

Conclusion - A Story Between Past And Future

My story is not one of straight lines.

It is one of stories of the past, of challenges in the present, of hope for the future.

Losing my mom made me become stronger.

Helping my brother made me become responsible.

Coming to Canada made me become an opportunity-seeker.

All of these experiences made me who I am today.

And although my story is still being written, one thing is for sure:

Even the toughest experiences that come our way can ultimately lead us to become stronger.

[prabhdeol]

From loss to strength: My hero’s journey

Theme:

Sorrow is a component in my life that will not determine my future path.

1. Ordinary World

Prior to the twist of fate that happened in my life, my world was based around my family, and my family was made up of my mother, my father, my brother, and myself. Besides, my mother was the centre of my family, and I do not mean it figuratively. It was her who took care of us and helped us in our education. She completed everything that existed in my world. I was a mere student and did not dream of having the challenges I was about to encounter in my life.

2. Call to Adventure

The day my mother died my life started and my world transformed in a second. It was not only that I was grieving the loss of my mother like a daughter, but I also grieved that I had to look after my brother. I needed strength, and I seemed to be broken internally.

This experience forced me to face my future.

3. Refusal of the Call

My mother passed away, and I perceived myself to be lost without being able to focus on my learning and my life overall. I was not as strong to take my responsibility and continue with my education, and I felt that I wanted to go back to the past when my mother was alive.

4. Meeting the Mentor

My mentors who enabled me to continue with my life are:

•               My mother aspirations of my education.

•               My father

•               To my brother my duty.

Afterwards, there was introduction of a stepmother in our lives and she was very good and helpful in giving a stability in our family. She was no substitute of my mother, but she served me in gaining the emotional support and help towards the attainment of my goals.

5. Crossing the First Threshold

In Grade 12, the most difficult choice of my life was made and I chose to attend Canada in order to fulfill my educational ambitions. This was quite a tough period in my life especially leaving my family and my brother in particular because I looked at myself as a role model to my brother, and a guide.

But I knew that I was making a better future and with this would come a better future to my family.

6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies

Tests:

•               Single life in a foreign country.

•               Adapting to the new culture and system of education.

•               Balancing my studies and fear of my family back at home.

Allies:

•               My goals and education

•               The support of my father

•               The benevolence of the stepmother to my brother.

•               My determination

Enemies:

•               Loneliness

In guilt of abandonment of my brother.

•               Uncertainties regarding myself and financial issues.

My life was a challenge of emotional and mental stress.

7. Approach to the Inmost Cave

The most peaceful times were the most difficult. I was missing my family and especially my young brother a lot. It happened so that there were many moments when I wanted my mother to be alive and guide me. In spite of being well cared of by my stepmother, the reality that my mother was not with us was something I had to live with on a daily basis.

I started to question myself whether I was a tough girl.

8. The Ordeal

Sometimes there were times when the burden of studying, work and heart pains were too much to bear. At times, I considered quitting and going back home. I however, considered the value of mother wishing me to do well and become independent. I also considered that I was supposed to be a good role model to my younger brother.

Rather, I decided to look to the future.

9. The Reward (Seizing the Sword)

I started becoming self-sufficient and self-confident. It was I who learned how to be independent and self-confident in a new country. I was informed that I was not as weak as I had assumed I was.

To be strong, tough and have the capacity of offering emotional support to my loved ones even when I am distant is my reward.

10. The Road Back

At present, I hope to be capable of a good life in Canada and capable of taking care of my father and brother. I do not just live to survive but to be in control.

11. The Resurrection

The biggest change was in me. I was now stronger and more independent. I had trained to handle my loss, as well as my obligation towards my self-development.

My pain is my motivation.

12. Return with the Elixir

I had learned to put into practice what my mother used to teach me in my life today. I had also been taught to value the goodness of my stepmother to the family. My stepmother was not my mother but had been very critical towards my healing and propelling me in my life.

What I had learned throughout my experience is: Despite your loss you can be the help other people need to rebuild their lives and be a source of their strength.

Conflict:

External Conflict:

Loss of my mother, caring about my younger brother, moving to Canada for my education, problems in education and finances.

Internal Conflict:

Sorrow and isolation, conscience of abandoning my family, fear of failure, doubt about myself