My Defining Moment
By Nicholas Levesque
A defining moment is one that shapes a person’s life forever. It is a moment that is essential to the growth of every
human being. It’s
a common thought that these moments that define us as individuals are weighed in fortune and fame. The size of
our character is only
as big as our own wallets. As I hope to become an accomplished artist one day, I too have been guilty of sharing
these same thoughts.
But after a seemingly insignificant experience with a woman I barely knew, I have discovered that even the smallest
of moments, no
matter how unimportant they may seem, can be the ones that define us the most.
One day during my AP art class, my teacher gave us a proposition. She explained to us that misfortune had fallen
upon a faculty
member of our school. It appeared the aunt of Ms. Carrier, the school psychologist, had just recently passed away.
Understandably,
Ms. Carrier was devastated by the loss of her favorite aunt, whom she had been very close to all throughout her life.
My teacher went on
to explain that to remember her by, all the family had was a small photograph and they were hoping to have a
painting done to display
at the funeral. As my classmates showed no interest and continued working, I shrugged in agreement. As she
continued to mention
that there would most likely be a rewarding check to follow, I showed an even greater interest.
Not having much experience with painting portraits, I figured it would be a challenge. As I took the project home, I
began to wonder why
I had taken on such a responsibility. With her head in the picture not being much larger than the tip of a finger, I
grew worried. My
reluctance was quickly relieved, however, when I realized the money would be most helpful. Not to mention another
painting added
amongst my art would be most beneficial in creating a diverse portfolio, therefore, increasing my chances of getting
into a good art
school. With my hesitation hastily pushed aside, and the combination of an enlarged photo and the original picture I
had, finally, after
two days, I had completed the painting. Worried and self-conscious, I was also concerned with the truth and
accuracy of my
representation of Ms. Carrier’s beloved aunt, whom I had never met.
I arrived to school the next day with knots in my stomach, unsure of the response I was soon to receive. The promise
of money could
not offer relief to my anxiety as it had two nights before. I placed the portrait upright on my teacher’s desk waiting for
Ms. Carrier, as if I
was waiting in a doctor’s office for results after months of vigorous testing. I held my breath as she walked in. A
sudden inhale was all
I heard, as her hands touched her mouth and tears filled her eyes. With a shaky, raspy voice, her “thank you” was
all I needed to hear.
My heart filled quickly as I soon realized that while looking at my painting as any other undertaking; to Ms. Carrier it
meant so much
more. While I could never describe how she felt, I could tell by her eyes that all the grief seemed to have been
brushed aside and
replaced by all the happy memories of her aunt, if only for a moment. Those tearful eyes and soft-spoken thanks
gave new meaning to
the word success. Her sincere love and grief for her aunt showed me that the spirit of giving joy to others, simply for
that sake, proves
to be much more rewarding than anything else. Money and fame come and go, as do many things, but the lasting
impression of Ms.
Carrier’s tears of gratitude will be embedded in my mind and heart forever.
New Hampshire Writers Short Stories
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nicholas Levesque
Winner Of The February
"Inspirational Non-Fiction" Competition
I am a first year Illustration major at the New Hampshire
Institute of Art. Art is my passion and my form of expression.
It seemed to be the only way to communicate my feelings or
thoughts. But, I found that there were certain things I wanted
to articulate that I couldn't necessarily get across through a
painting or drawing. This past year I’ve really learned to
embrace and value writing as another form of art and
expression.
By Nicholas Levesque
A defining moment is one that shapes a person’s life forever. It is a moment that is essential to the growth of every
human being. It’s
a common thought that these moments that define us as individuals are weighed in fortune and fame. The size of
our character is only
as big as our own wallets. As I hope to become an accomplished artist one day, I too have been guilty of sharing
these same thoughts.
But after a seemingly insignificant experience with a woman I barely knew, I have discovered that even the smallest
of moments, no
matter how unimportant they may seem, can be the ones that define us the most.
One day during my AP art class, my teacher gave us a proposition. She explained to us that misfortune had fallen
upon a faculty
member of our school. It appeared the aunt of Ms. Carrier, the school psychologist, had just recently passed away.
Understandably,
Ms. Carrier was devastated by the loss of her favorite aunt, whom she had been very close to all throughout her life.
My teacher went on
to explain that to remember her by, all the family had was a small photograph and they were hoping to have a
painting done to display
at the funeral. As my classmates showed no interest and continued working, I shrugged in agreement. As she
continued to mention
that there would most likely be a rewarding check to follow, I showed an even greater interest.
Not having much experience with painting portraits, I figured it would be a challenge. As I took the project home, I
began to wonder why
I had taken on such a responsibility. With her head in the picture not being much larger than the tip of a finger, I
grew worried. My
reluctance was quickly relieved, however, when I realized the money would be most helpful. Not to mention another
painting added
amongst my art would be most beneficial in creating a diverse portfolio, therefore, increasing my chances of getting
into a good art
school. With my hesitation hastily pushed aside, and the combination of an enlarged photo and the original picture I
had, finally, after
two days, I had completed the painting. Worried and self-conscious, I was also concerned with the truth and
accuracy of my
representation of Ms. Carrier’s beloved aunt, whom I had never met.
I arrived to school the next day with knots in my stomach, unsure of the response I was soon to receive. The promise
of money could
not offer relief to my anxiety as it had two nights before. I placed the portrait upright on my teacher’s desk waiting for
Ms. Carrier, as if I
was waiting in a doctor’s office for results after months of vigorous testing. I held my breath as she walked in. A
sudden inhale was all
I heard, as her hands touched her mouth and tears filled her eyes. With a shaky, raspy voice, her “thank you” was
all I needed to hear.
My heart filled quickly as I soon realized that while looking at my painting as any other undertaking; to Ms. Carrier it
meant so much
more. While I could never describe how she felt, I could tell by her eyes that all the grief seemed to have been
brushed aside and
replaced by all the happy memories of her aunt, if only for a moment. Those tearful eyes and soft-spoken thanks
gave new meaning to
the word success. Her sincere love and grief for her aunt showed me that the spirit of giving joy to others, simply for
that sake, proves
to be much more rewarding than anything else. Money and fame come and go, as do many things, but the lasting
impression of Ms.
Carrier’s tears of gratitude will be embedded in my mind and heart forever.
New Hampshire Writers Short Stories
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nicholas Levesque
Winner Of The February
"Inspirational Non-Fiction" Competition
I am a first year Illustration major at the New Hampshire
Institute of Art. Art is my passion and my form of expression.
It seemed to be the only way to communicate my feelings or
thoughts. But, I found that there were certain things I wanted
to articulate that I couldn't necessarily get across through a
painting or drawing. This past year I’ve really learned to
embrace and value writing as another form of art and
expression.
New Hampshire Writers Short Stories
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