Throughout my life, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many people who have helped mold me into the person I am today. But there’s one person who I know I couldn’t live without and therefore is the most important person in my life. This person will do anything she can for me, gives me wonderful advice, and has taught me a lot about life. She’s my godmother, Antoinette Wooten (I call her Toni). She’s been apart of my life since I was born, but I really needed her more as I approached my teenage years and withdrew from my mom. Toni understood that I needed her without ever saying it, and have helped change me for the better.

Toni has done numerous things to make me realize that she’ll do anything she can for me. For example, When I was younger, I played basketball with dreams of possibly going professional, until I became injured. The doctor found scarred tissue in both my knees, that’s why it hurt when I ran. When Toni found out I was injured, she surprised me one night, and brought me a huge “Get Well” chocolate chip cookie with a balloon. I really wasn’t expecting anything; just knowing she cared was enough. Toni has done things for me that I am really grateful for. For instance, during my freshman year of high school, I participated in volleyball for the first of two years. At the end of the season my school honored the sport teams with athletic awards, I wasn’t going because I had no one to take me. One night I talked to Toni, she could tell I really wanted to go, so she offered to take me. I was excited and relieved that she would be there to smile and be proud of me. Toni helped boost my spirit and made that one of the most enjoyable nights ever. Toni does anything she can for me without ever asking for anything in return.

I gravitated toward Toni because I can go to her with any problem, and she’ll always tell me the right thing. For example, in my junior year of high school, I took Algebra 2, even though I’m not the best in math. I wasn’t sure if I was going to pass with a “C,” so I thought about taking Algebra 2 on a pass/fail grading scale. I called Toni and waived my options, she said, “Stay with the class on the regular grading scale try and study hard because I know you’ll do well.” Toni was right; I passed Algebra 2 with a high “C.” Toni not only help me with school problems, but also with boy dilemmas. For instance, last October my boyfriend left to join the Air Force, I wasn’t sure if I should try to have a long-distance relationship or break-up hoping our paths cross again in life. I asked Toni for her advice, she said she couldn’t tell me what to do, but just follow my heart and if it’s meant to be than it will be. Toni was right in this case also, because I followed my heart, and almost a year later we’re still together. I continue to go to Toni with my problems because I know she wants what’s best for me and will always lead me in the right direction.

Toni has taught me a lot about life, and how I can have a productive life. She has helped teach me how to never give up on something I believe in. For example, I almost quit volleyball in my sophomore year because I was upset and discouraged since I wasn’t playing adequate amount of time. I remember not playing three games in a row. When I confronted my coach about playing more, she simply said she’ll try harder to put me in future games. When the next game arrived I looked forward to playing unfortunately; my coach put me in the last two points in the game (which we lost). I called Toni that night and told her I decided to quit volleyball, because I felt I wasn’t getting sufficient playing time. She asked me if I enjoyed playing volleyball when I did play. I told of course I loved playing, but I didn’t understand why the coach didn’t believe in me. Toni said, “ continue with the rest of the season, try to show the coach that she’s making a mistake by not playing you, and by give more than the starter players in practice and warm-ups.” I continued with volleyball and improved so much, I eventually started playing more and actually started in two games. If it weren’t for Toni I would’ve given up and not known my true potential. Toni not only helped me not give up on things but she also encourages me to do what I truly want in life. For instance, one night while talking to Toni on the phone I told her I knew my career choice for the future. I’d done research and decided to become a child psychiatrist because I’d get to work with children, which I love, and would make a lot of money. She must’ve clued in on the money part, because she told me not to choose a profession for money alone, instead choose something that even if the money wasn’t what I wanted, than I’d still continue in that career. After that conversation, I decided to be undecided until I’m in college.

Every time Toni does what she can for me, given me advice, or taught me about life, I thank her for what she’s done, but I don’t think she realizes the tremendous impact she had on the person I’ll become. I love her so much for all that she’s done for me, both abstract and concrete. She’s the most important person in my life, I don’t know what I did to deserve Toni, but I’m happy she’s here and hope she’ll always be in my life forever.