Innovation Today

In my short life, there are many experiences that could qualify as life-changing. Every  new experience was, at one time or another, the first experience. For good or bad, each  instance changed the course that my life has taken. But, the most transformative  experience was the birth of my youngest brother.

Juan is someone my parents often call a happy accident. At the time that my mother  became pregnant, I was 13, and my other brother, Juan, was 10. We were what you  would call a well-rounded, perfect family of four. We neatly fit into the perfect  classification in nearly every way. We didn't realize what we were missing until the  moment that my youngest brother first opened his striking blue eyes.

In truth, I resented the fact that I would be having another sibling. Nothing needed to  be added to our family, and my mother, already 38 at the time, was considered high risk  because of her age. The pregnancy itself was full of complications that sent the straight  course of my life into rollercoaster-like loops that my 13-year-old mind had a hard time  comprehending. But now, I can see how forging through those loops helped me to roll  with the punches that life inevitably brings

The day Juan was born, my mother took me with her to the hospital rather than my  father. It wasn't a planned move, but Juan and my father were both feverish; I was the  next best alternative. Sitting with her through every contraction, I gained a new respect  for just how powerful and strong a woman could be in what might be considered their  weakest moment. Holding her hand and feeding her ice chips, I gained a connection  with my mother that I didn't realize we were lacking.

The moment my new baby brother came into this world, I realized two things nearly  simultaneously. First, you don't realize how much you need something until it's sitting in  your lap. Second, my life after this moment would never be the same. The moment he  curled his chubby little finger around mine, I understood the words "happy accident"  completely.

There are many different experiences in life that have changed a part of me as a person.  But, nothing so profoundly changed my views and outlook on life like the birth of my  youngest brother. Juan's arrival was a life-altering event that caused me to see the world  through new eyes.


Innovation Today In my short life , there are many experiences that could qualify as life - changing . Every new experience was , at one time or another , the first experience . For good or bad , each instance changed the course that my life has taken . But , the most transformative experience was the birth of my youngest brother . Juan is someone my parents often call a happy accident . At the time that my mother became pregnant , I was 13 , and my other brother , Juan , was 10 . We were what you would call a well - rounded , perfect family of four . We neatly fit into the perfect classification in nearly every way . We did n't realize what we were missing until the moment that my youngest brother first opened his striking blue eyes . In truth , I resented the fact that I would be having another sibling . Nothing needed to be added to our family , and my mother , already 38 at the time , was considered high risk because of her age . The pregnancy itself was full of complications that sent the straight course of my life into rollercoaster - like loops that my 13 - year - old mind had a hard time comprehending . But now , I can see how forging through those loops helped me to roll with the punches that life inevitably brings The day Juan was born , my mother took me with her to the hospital rather than my father . It was n't a planned move , but Juan and my father were both feverish ; I was the next best alternative . Sitting with her through every contraction , I gained a new respect for just how powerful and strong a woman could be in what might be considered their weakest moment . Holding her hand and feeding her ice chips , I gained a connection with my mother that I did n't realize we were lacking . The moment my new baby brother came into this world , I realized two things nearly simultaneously . First , you do n't realize how much you need something until it 's sitting in your lap . Second , my life after this moment would never be the same . The moment he curled his chubby little finger around mine , I understood the words " happy accident " completely . There are many different experiences in life that have changed a part of me as a person . But , nothing so profoundly changed my views and outlook on life like the birth of my youngest brother . Juan 's arrival was a life - altering event that caused me to see the world through new eyes .