The Person Who Influenced Me the Most
I opened the box and took out the shining gold bracelet, "For me?" I could barely talk. "Yes, of course," said my Aunt Estelle. I really shouldn't have been 1 because she was like that, unexpected and golden.
When I was younger, I knew that I could always go to my Aunt Estelle for comfort, advice and 2. She was my best friend and my guardian angel. I could always be honest with her and tell her anything that was on my mind. She also knew when I was trying to 3 something. Aunt Estelle gave me advice when it was sought and guided me 4 many difficulties.
Last December, I was faced with one of the most difficult choices I ever had to make in my life. She was dying of cancer and I was 5 to go to Israel for two weeks for a research project. 6 I sought Aunt Estelle's advice but for the 7 time I didn't like her response. When I went to the hospital to visit her for what turned out to be the last time, she was waiting for me with a book about Israel on her bed and made it very clear that she 8 me to go —that it was her greatest wish for me to go—how could I refuse her. Aunt Estelle was the most unselfish person I ever knew and would not even consider my 9 about going. She called me 10 I left for Israel to tell me that she loved me and that she would always be with me.
I went to Israel and had the time of my life. When I returned, my parents 11 me up. I told them I couldn't wait to tell Aunt Estelle about my journey. They became 12 and I knew before they said the words that she had died. Aunt Estelle's unselfishness was her greatest 13.
The gold bracelet she gave me for my sixteenth birthday was the one that I had always admired on her. Each time I look at it I am 14 of an even greater gift from my aunt, the gift of her love. Whenever I find myself becoming too self-centered and overlooking the needs of those around me, I recall her selflessness and 15 to follow her example to make the needs of others a priority.
