The Fire of Life and Strength of Iron

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Iron is one of Earth’s most abundant elements. It is also one of the most interesting elements known to mankind. It is known as a heavy-duty metal, but humans also must ingest it in order to survive. Earth’s core is widely believed to be made up of this fascinating element. When heated, iron emits a golden glow as well as hundreds of tiny sparks in the same color. For every time it is put through a flame, broken down, and melted, it becomes stronger. Iron is impressive, especially when it is being tested and tried in every way.
I like to think I’m a lot like iron. I’ve been tested and tried in many ways, breaking down and melting, growing stronger every time. I know that every flame burns the same, but every one of them burns in a different way. I’ve been burned in the back by friends, and because I didn’t see it coming, I only felt the heat. My heart has been scorched when countless people have taken advantage of my naïve trust. But at 14, I was set ablaze so badly, I thought I was done with; I was broken down to liquid, my tears being all that remained.
It was just after 10 o’clock when his fury burst through the wall that separated my bedroom from the living room. I recognized the voice, but not the anger. I knew full well that it was my father yelling, but I had never heard him so upset. Being the oldest and most responsible of my siblings, I had to go see what was going on. I tiptoed down the hallway and gingerly stepped out of the shadows and into the dim lighting of the living room. My eyes shot to my mom who was sitting in her recliner, red-faced, and wiping away tears with a handful of Kleenex. Then I saw my father, quickly sitting back in his chair as if everything were perfectly normal. “Having trouble sleeping?” he a...

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... who need a friend. I want to prepare and teach students who have no idea how insane life can get. As a youth minister, I will not be paid much, but I know I will be happier and more productive than if I were doing anything else.
Anyone reading this now knows that my dad left. He walked out before I was in high school. He will not be paying for any of my college. My dad does not believe I can do it. He believes that I am like gold; beautiful and pricey, but soft and easily worn. He thinks that I will wear down to nothing in college. However, you and I know better. This scholarship will help me prove, to everyone I meet, that tapping into an iron core, no matter how badly burned and damaged, will always be firm. Iron is often overlooked and underestimated. Sometimes, it can be considered worthless. You and I both know that this is untrue. Now is the time to prove it.

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