Sun is shining, fresh Wisconsin air is blowing, pavement hot with a blood stain going for 6 feet down a steep hill. A longboard left in the trees, once whole, now broken in pieces. A boy who moments before was filled with confidence, now lays at the end of the stained pavement, unconscious. The moment that changed my thoughts on myself and on life forever, happening in only a few seconds. A little accident can take a large toll on your entire life.

In Eighth Grade I was a lot different than I am now. This is very reasonable, but it is relevant to the story. I was a lot more dumb to be honest and I had a large amount of confidence I shouldn't have had. My Uncle Klay, Uncle Eric, Father, and I decided to take a weekend trip to our Wisconsin lake house for fun. My Uncles asked if I wanted to go for a walk with them and I said yes, I brought my longboard for fun. A few minutes later we came up to what we now refer to as, “DeadMan’s Hill”. In was an incredibly steep road with a large turn at the end. My brilliant mind was like, “Hey, can I try to ride down it”. My Uncles agreed, they had high hopes for me. I got up there and looked down the hill, I don't know what was wrong with me. Even if I had made it down the hill there was no way of making the U turn, so I would have ended up flying into the woods anyway. Even with this thought on mind I decided to go for it. Adrenaline was pumping as my foot did the same. I gained speed fast, I was already losing control with in seconds. My board started wobbling side to side and I lost my balance. Then I fell sideways, right before I hit the ground everything went black. I’m not sure if I was knocked out or just in shock, but when I came too I was being dragged by Klay who was trying to get me home. My whole right side was bleeding, yet I felt no pain. They got me home and cleaned me up, I was very lucky that my injures weren’t serious considering the fall I had just taken.

This event matured me in many ways. I learned that I should think before I do things and consider the consequences of the options I make. I am smarter from this experience since it knocked some sense into me in a way. It also taught me that I am stronger than I believe, that if I can overcome that fall, than I can overcome anything. In my eyes I can see this experience like the flight of Icarus, because if you do to much and take things to far your wings will brake and you will fall. Falls are not bad, if you learn from them, that is. You must be able to look back at bad or stupid actions you’ve done, and learn from them. Make yourself a better you by learning from the lessons you’ve been teaching yourself your whole life. 

In conclusion this event made me realize a lot about myself that I wouldn't if otherwise known. It showed me how my actions have consequences and how I’m stronger than I thought. Not only this but it gave me a great story to tell people, and show them how it changed me. I can then allow them to judge for themselves if i’ve truly changed.