Life Happens — What I Did in Front of 3,000 People

Life Happens — not like you’d like it to all the time. After being on a huge high after learning that I was the valedictorian after three years in one of the largest community colleges in the country, reality sat in that I’d have to give a speech in front of a large group of people.

Although I had studies acting for several years, I knew this would be a large feat — I would be nervous, but most of all, I would have a hard time getting through it because my proud parents and brother would be in the audience, having flown in from Germany just for the occasion.

I didn’t grow up in a very touchy-feely kind of family, but there was a lot of love in my family, and it usually came to the surface if one of us had to give a speech in front of other people.

And sure enough, even without looking into the direction of where my parents were sitting, I choked up the second I mentioned my them in my speech. They were so proud of me, and I knew it and appreciated their support and love so much.

Three thousand people collectively held their breath. There was silence, for what felt like minutes. I couldn’t get out another word.

Then someone started clapping. And more people started clapping. And that gave me the boost to find my voice again and to somehow make it through my speech.

Sometimes life is messy. Life happens. And even though this was kind of an embarrassing moment for me, it was human and genuine, and strangers came up to me afterward saying how much my speech about the German girl who had always been a mediocre student but had fallen in love with the English language and excelling in college and been blessed to have made her parents so proud had touched them.

In honor of Life Insurance Awareness Month, the nonprofit LIFE Foundation is giving away great prizes for the best Life Happens moments. You can enter the contest any time before Friday, October 7. Make sure to encourage your friends and family to vote for your story as the Life Happens moment s with the most votes will win (voting ends Friday, October 14).

First place will receive an Apple iPad^®, second place a $350 Apple gift card, and third place a $150 Amazon gift card.

Life Happens. And while you can’t control the future, you can take steps to protect the good things in life. Take a look around The LIFE Foundation website and learn more about how life insurance can help safeguard a secure financial future for those you love.

{This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The LIFE Foundation. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Contest Rules}