Mindful Memories : By A'mya Donaldson by A'mya

Mindful Memories : By A'mya Donaldson by A'mya - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could tell my past self one piece of advice it would be to cherish the little moments. Growing up, I was taught the importance of family and how it is essential to lean on your family in times of need. Living in Atlanta when I was younger, my mother fell sick and decided she couldn’t care for both herself and myself alone, so we decided to move back to South Carolina with my grandparents. Honestly, I was bummed about having to leave my friends and the memories I made, because as a kid, I felt as though I was being stripped from one of the only homes I knew. Upon getting to South Carolina, “Mama” and “Papa” became two of my favorite people in the world. I had an amazing relationship with them before, but getting to spend every day with them felt like a dream to younger me. My favorite memories were being able to exercise my creative and adventurous side with Papa: making robots, and building Legos; designing various arts and crafts projects with my mom: painting a pumpkin pig, dressing up for a historical journal; and finally, laying down with Mama and enjoying her company. Mama always gave me a new perspective on life while simultaneously asking me to massage her back and rub her feet, because to her, I was her “misuse.” At times, I would complain because it felt like I was massaging her until my fingers went numb, but deep down I enjoyed being able to help. My grandmother is one of my biggest inspirations, as she put others above herself and for the benefit of everyone else. Whether it was ushering, catering, or being at the hospital with a sick family member, Mama was always there.

On January 13th, 2022, Mama passed away suddenly, and upon receiving the news, my body filled with guilt as I blamed myself for not being there for her like she was there for everyone else. She always encouraged me to try new things and told me that “God hasn’t given me a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind.” That one scripture has carried me through, despite feeling like the world is stacked against me. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade moving to South Carolina for anything in the world. I thank God that I got the opportunity to spend more time with my grandmother because if I had stayed in Atlanta, I would have been crushed not being able to have those precious moments with her. Before her passing, she decided to go back to nursing school, and although she was the oldest one in her class, with children and grandchildren to care for, she maintained a 4.0 proving that nothing is impossible and inspired me to go to college and get my degree as well. When asked now what factor has shaped me into the person I am today, I would say my Mama, and if I could tell my past self to do one thing differently, it would be to take more pictures, enjoy more laughs, and cherish the little moments.