The first 15 years of my life

Submitted by Morgan Danielle Sweere Treece on 10/03/2020

The first 15 years of my life were different than most girls and boys. I grew up on a dirt race track with the thrill of the race. I waited weekly for those bright, Friday night lights in the pits as my dad’s dwarf car rounded every corner. My dad had built his racecar from scraps as our finances could not afford one built by someone else. Through the years and with hard work he made improvements until he was constantly winning races.

We were poor and I learned early the value of hard work as my parents worked numerous jobs to provide for us. They did a good job providing for our needs but there was not much left for wants. I was fifteen. My mother was taken on new job and my parents knew another vehicle would help if something happened while they weren’t at home. Having a mode of transportation meant I could drive my younger brother and myself to a hospital or my grandparents’ house if a need arose. However, finances were blocking our way. My father told me they would try to match whatever money I could save. I worked three part time jobs in addition to attending school, saving every penny I could.

Like most teenagers, I wanted a brand new red convertible, but harsh reality hit as instead I was staring at a green, broken down, ‘97 Jeep Wrangler. It was the right price but in my mind not the right car. It did not even run.My father who was well versed in “fixing” things saw in it what could be. My dad muttered, “If you can fix it, you can have it.” The Jeep was in another state where we had traveled for a relative’s wedding. We had to get it transported to our home state because it was not capable of being driven at that time. My dad left me to research places that did automobile transportation. I really did not know what was needed but knew responsibility and integrity were a priority. Most of the companies were rude to me as I am sure my lack of knowledge about such services made them impatient.

I had picked three companies to call from research I had done on the internet, but only one was patient enough to answer my numerous questions. The professionalism and genuine customer service I found at the company amazed me. They spent almost an hour telling me how they handled transporting a vehicle and even what type of questions I should ask if I decided not to use their business but another. By the time I got off the phone I knew I had found the company who would haul that pile of a not running Jeep to my house. My father called and arranged the transportation. While the cost was not something I desired to pay, I knew from talking to other companies and through my research, that they did the transportation for a fair price.

On the date and time we arrived the truck transporting the Jeep was already there. The driver got it off the truck and my father and brother towed it home. The driver was respectful as we inspected that old Jeep just like I imagined he would act if the vehicle had been a brand new expensive car. I appreciated that as not all people treat those with less like they do those with more. Now was my time to prove myself.

Motivated, working alongside my father, I discovered a vehicle is much like the human body--a process, and if one part isn’t working, every other part is affected. While my friends spent their summer at the lake, I was at my job or elbow-deep in grease and oil, determined to learn how to fix that jeep. Only in hindsight did I realize that while researching and learning each intricate step of bringing the jeep back to life, I was also enthusiastically learning to be self-sufficient and the value of hard work. I worked hard with my father, getting that jeep ready to drive. We replaced parts, repaired wiring, and as money permitted even bought new parts to make it safe and drivable.

I will never forget my excitement the first time the engine turned over! As the school year began, students began to show up in the cars they’d received as gifts. I drove that old Jeep with pride though as it had taken my sweat and tears to get it to a drivable state. Only then did I realize my parents taught me something that money simply can’t buy. The realization and the pride in myself that I could accomplish anything and be successful through knowledge and hard work!

That transportation company and my parents taught that arrogant, egocentric fifteen year old I was quite a lot. Both taught me to treat each person in a respectful manner. Both taught me that helping others was vital. My parents always ensured we had enough to help others. I also found out that auto transporting company gave me a “deal” cutting into their profits to ensure I got my car. Each taught me about integrity, customer service, and hard work. These lessons are some that I will carry me throughout my life.

I am now married and am currently in medical school. I know that each activity I do and each person I meet will teach me something new. Through my hospice volunteer work, I have seen the strength of the human spirit as a person who is dreadfully ill realizes what is truly important in life. I have comprehended the importance of honest communication by the tears and regrets of those left behind. I have learned to be humble as I break down medical jargon into simple terms for a mother who does not understand English, at our medical school’s free clinic. The young man I mentor at Special Olympics taught me to have joy in the small things as I watched his victory dance and big smile as he finished the race in last place. I have learned to not be afraid to try new things such as medical technology, by volunteering at Camp Aldersgate, a summer camp for special medical needs children.

They are fearless to try each new thing and thankful for everything because many of them face death on a daily basis. Through volunteering, I am learning skills such as reaching out and encouraging others, understanding cultural differences, meeting diverse needs, and better communication. These things are similar to the wonderful service I received by the auto transportation company I used. Through volunteering, I learned to accept each person as the unique individual they are. Volunteering has enabled me to gain a beautiful mosaic of friends with different ideas, attitudes, viewpoints, dreams, accomplishments, strengths, weaknesses, abilities and goals. It has also taught me how helping others makes you truly happy.

This auto transporting company and my parents helped me realize that I want to be a physician who realizes medicine is more than a science, it is a service. I want to help others on what might be their worst day; just like that auto transportation company helped me. Due to their great customer service, I have observed that the mark of a great physician goes beyond textbook knowledge, it involves empathy, understanding, as well as listening and clinical skills.

Many of these skills were exhibited by the auto transporting company that I used. I will maximize my time spent in academic studies by learning to know and understand the principles and applications of health, the risk factors, and disease prevention/interventions so that I can provide the best health care to all my future patients. I will learn how to treat disparities in healthcare sothat all of my patients receive the best individualized care just like the auto transportation company took care of me. I will incorporate all the knowledge learned with the understanding that each patient is a person with worries and that I need to treat them like I was treated, with empathy, kindness, patience, and understanding. A1 Auto Transportation was actually the company who transported my Jeep. They did not realize at the time, though, that they also helped me to become the successful student I am today. They taught this now married medical student to treat each person she meets with respect, integrity, and kindness.

Submitted by Morgan Danielle Sweere Treece on 10/03/2020