This was not my heartbeat.

When the numbness started to subside, I could feel the sharp jolts of pain overwhelm my body as the bitter cold concrete enveloped me into its surly arms. My thoughts were muffled by the screams of onlookers that were rushing towards us and my senses adjusted to the surroundings till I found the source of the unfamiliar heartbeat lying under me; the heartbeat that started it all.

Although his terror-stricken face disguised his innocence, a familiar pair of hazel eyes opened up. Looking into his glassy eyes, I saw the reflection of myself a year ago. A clear vision transfused my mind back to a day as cold and crisp as today when I was a basketball mentor. I watched as a little boy name Eli patiently struggled with his shooting form for hours. I smirked, something about him reminded me so much of myself. I dribbled my basketball up to him and said, “To become the best at anything you just need more practice and we can work together to get there”. His bright hazel eyes lit up and with a simple smile he said, “Don’t worry, I’m not going to give up. I’m going to become the best basketball player anyone has seen!” Everyday I could see the glimmer of potential get brighter. I watched Eli look his dream in the eye and shoot the basketball with a perfect form. Yet here we lay, arm-in-arm, reluctantly encroached by death.

Eli’s words finally sunk in and gave a powerful whiplash back to reality. Every child deserves a chance at his or her dreams; whether it might be an astronaut, a doctor, a parent, or even a basketball player. The dark blue sedan that I dove in front of to save Eli’s life left a faint bruise on my body, but my fatal scar came from the inner agony as I came to the realization that a child’s dream can be snatched away within seconds.

The instant I saw the sedan, there was an endless possibility for its future; a future that either gave an ending to a child and his dream or ending to me and my future. But that second was temperamental and I thought about Eli and all the bright faces ignited with aspirations and hopes. So little, yet so powerful, their determination overshadows their obstacles. That second generated a future to which not only saved a child’s life, but also brought out a new entity within me. An entity that takes each breathe as if it was my last and watches the people that surround me inspire each other to become better individuals and role models.

Only four feet and five inches tall, Eli and the children I mentor are my inspiration everyday. These young dreams magnify my business passions for a future where I create a school that paints a vision that they can look into and accomplish an endless possibility.

Although his heartbeat was not mine, Eli’s dream along with mine beat even louder through my veins and embellish my persona with relentless determination.