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An Embarrassing Moment in My Life Essay

February 21, 2018 by Study Mentor 1 Comment

Everyone faces some or the other type of embarrassment in their lives. While some are easy to digest, some that hit your mind hard every time.

When you are idle and not doing any work, you may be reminded of it. If you happened to meet the person who was in the situation when you felt embarrassed, you would get the same feeling again.

I also have experienced these sorts of embarrassing moments.

Actually, embarrassing moments could be easily recalled, it may even bring a smile on your face at times.

We wouldn’t expect ourselves to be part of embarrassing situations. When we are put under such situations, we really don’t know how to find a way out.

Though there are many embarrassing moments in my life I could only share a few of them below.

My first most embarrassing moment was when I was 10 years old, one day I was playing with my friends and I had an urge to attend to nature’s call. I steadily ignored my body’s warning signs.

I continued playing with my friends. In the meantime, everyone gathered in a group near a motor cycle (bike). On the pillion seat of the bike there is a provision of a tucked net.

It is generally used for holding some stuff.  I started playing with it pretending to be holding it ,stretching it, etc. All of a sudden, the owner of bike came from nowhere.

All my friends started running and I was standing there all alone. He held my hands tightly and started scolding me for what I was doing with his bike.

He started blaming me for playing with his possession. He inquired why I was scratching his bike’s seat with my nail. As I was playing with the net, I clarified my stand.

Surely enough, I was unable to speak anything more to save myself.  I got scared and then I peed then and there. All were looking at me.

The uncle released my hand and I ran towards my house crying loudly. My grandmother asked me worriedly.

I answered her that I fell into a puddle of muddy water. I asked her to give me clothes to change. That night was very hard indeed!

This experience may create a laughing sensation with readers. To me, it was very shameful, given I was a ten year old girl at that time!

The second experience was when I was in my high school. I was a student of biology. Everyone at class used to call me a doctor. This was quite a good thing for me.

It made me happy that everyone was calling me a doctor. One fine day I was getting down the stairs from my biology class. Normally, I used to jump on the stairs routinely.

On that day too, I repeated the same act. Some of the well known boys of our school were standing there. As I jumped, I lost my control and got smashed on the floor.

I fell down from 5th stair and hit the ground floor. Everyone out there just started laughing at me. Some came to help me.

To avoid any further embarrassment, I too started laughing. Later when I came home, I felt so humiliated that I didn’t attend school for 2 days.

The third experience was due to my overconfidence. I unnecessarily caught everyone’s attention for all the wrong reasons.

Last year my uncle bought me a new bike – Activa (Scooty). After taking riding lessons, I was very excited to ride my scooty. When my students left for home, I took the keys and went down to start the bike.

Half way through, I saw one of my students standing.  I began flaunting my new scooty. He greeted me and soon after that, I lost control over my scooty. Instead of applying brakes, I accelerated it and got hit with a washer man.

By god’s grace I just hit his chair and not him. There was no big loss to him. My scooty got damaged and I got hurt badly. That day, I got embarrassed in front of my students.

My fourth embarrassing experience till date is a very sad moment. Our 11th class had just begun.  I had also joined a coaching centre.

I had a lot of friends there too! One fine day, a guy approached me seeking good friendship with me. I smartly agreed.

Slowly we started talking. We chatted for long hours over phone, late night chats became common. At the coaching class too, our talks grew and I totally fell for him.

One day I proposed to him. In response, he said he needs some time to think over. He assured to maintain confidentiality of the matter.

I trusted him blindly. To my fate, the next day when I arrived at the institute, all his friends were smiling at me fishily. I tried to ignore them. After a few days I was in for a bigger shock.

I saw one of my friends holding his hands and learnt that they were actually in a relationship, I felt so unwanted and upset. I called him. I pleaded with him for keeping me in darkness.

Without speaking any further, I cut the call abruptly. Then he called me again and apologized. I accepted his apology. I trusted him not to tell anyone about my proposal but that wasn’t true.

His girlfriend asked me if I had ever proposed to her guy, to which I said a yes and left the scene. After a few days I came to know that he had spilled the beans right from the first day among all his friends.

This incident happened around 2 years ago. Now I have moved on and leading a happy life.

And the last embarrassing moment in my life was the last day of school. As Diwali vacations were going to start, I brought some crackers from home.

I wished to light them in school. The school authorities weren’t going to agree to this. So, I quietly went upstairs and lit one of the crackers.

I was caught red handed by one of my teachers. She scolded me in front of the whole class. She said it was not expected from me. That day luck wasn’t in my favor and I really felt bad and embarrassed.

Some embarrassing moments are lessons to us. We shouldn’t worry what people think about us.

We should move on from bad situations. One bad incident cannot erase our entire life. Every person comes into your life as a lesson.

Reader Interactions

January 8, 2021 at 7:31 pm

I like the stories. Yhe only issue is that they have laughed at you for, in my opinion, no reason. I must say that I wouldn’t have laughed if I was there. Well, no one knows how I could have reacted, especially as a 15 year old, but still you have my support!

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The Most Embarrassing Moment in My Life

Some embarrassing moments can etch into one’s memory like a brand on cattle. My most embarrassing situation stands out among the many stories I can recount. It was a presentation day at my university; the day that turned out to be a life-changing one.

The time of the presentation arrived with a sense of foreboding. My palms were sweaty, and my heart raced as I rehearsed my speech one last time. I tried my best to becalm myself, “I can do this! I believe in myself!” I was ready to present my research project to the university. I had spent weeks meticulously preparing, researching, and practising. Confidence had never been my strong suit. But I was determined to make a lasting impression.

When I heard my name called out, I approached the front of the room. My heart was pounding louder than a drum. My thoughts were running wild. Silence filled the room. All attention was fixed on me. I began my presentation, carefully and properly articulating my points. My nervousness started fading away. Soon, I found myself engaging with the audience, speaking confidently and giving my best for the presentation.

However, as I walked back and forth across the room, the unexpected happened. My foot got caught on the edge of the carpet. In that heart-stopping moment, time seemed to slow down. In my attempt to stand still, I stumbled forward and tripped out of nowhere. My body failed to regain balance. I hit the ground, knees first, followed by my hands. Gasps and laughter filled the room. It seemed like time had stopped for me. The otherwise strict professor also could not hold in his chuckles. My cheeks burned with embarrassment. I wished the floor would swallow me whole. I scrambled to my feet, attempting to salvage the remnants of my dignity.

To add salt to the injury, I noticed a trickle of blood from my scraped knee, a badge of my humiliation. I mumbled an apology for the disruption and pulled myself together. The professor tried to comfort me, “Don’t worry. You know, in life, it’s not about how many times you fall, but how many times you get up and continue.” His words of encouragement gave me the strength to get up. For the rest of the time, I walked very cautiously. But, the rest of my presentation was a blur. My once well-structured sentences stumbled like a shaken snow globe. My confidence had vanished into thin air. I felt a mix of emotions after the presentation – relief that it was finally over, embarrassment that I had fallen in front of everyone and a tinge of self-deprecation for my lack of grace.

The memory of that embarrassing fall kept on haunting me for a long time. However, I eventually realised that we all stumble in life, sometimes quite literally. It is a reminder that nobody is perfect. To this day, my professor’s words have served me as a guiding light. A popular quote says, “Never be embarrassed by mistakes. Rather, be thankful for them, because they always present an opportunity for personal growth.” So, I carry the memory of that day with me as a reminder that we should embrace imperfection.

“You know, in life, it’s not about how many times you fall, but how many times you get up and continue.”

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My Most Embarrassing Moment Essay: Don't Be Shy To Tell

Introduction

Welcome to The Knowledge Nest, the ultimate destination for thought-provoking articles and engaging discussions in the Community and Society category. In this piece, we dive into the fascinating world of embarrassing moments, encouraging you to share your own experiences as well. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions as we explore hilarious and cringe-worthy anecdotes that are sure to leave you in stitches.

Understanding the Human Experience

Embarrassing moments are an inherent part of the human experience. Whether we trip and fall in public, say something awkward, or have a wardrobe malfunction, these moments can be both mortifying and amusing. They often serve as reminders of our vulnerability and imperfections, bringing us closer as a community by connecting through shared experiences.

The Power of Laughter

Laughter is the best medicine, and it certainly holds true when it comes to embarrassing moments. Despite the initial discomfort, reflecting on these amusing incidents can help alleviate stress and create lasting memories. The ability to find humor in our own embarrassing situations demonstrates our resilience and self-acceptance.

Entertaining and Relatable Stories

At The Knowledge Nest, we believe that sharing our embarrassing stories is not only therapeutic but also brings joy to others. Our extensive community has generously contributed their most memorable moments, and we've curated a collection of tales that will make you laugh, cringe, and maybe even blush.

Story 1: The Slippery Entrance

Picture this: a rainy day, a crowded shopping mall, and a slippery entrance. Our community member, Sarah, recounts her embarrassing moment when she entered the mall, only to find herself sliding uncontrollably on the wet floor. Not only did she land with an undignified thud, but she also inadvertently managed to draw attention to herself. This relatable tale highlights the unexpected hurdles we often face in our daily lives, leaving us with an embarrassed grin.

Story 2: The Accidental Reply All

We've all experienced that moment of panic when we accidentally hit "Reply All" on an email. Our community member, John, shares his cringe-worthy encounter with this modern-day conundrum. In an attempt to express his frustration about a colleague's mistake, he unknowingly sent a scathing email to everyone in the company. The aftermath? A mixture of embarrassment, apology emails, and valuable lessons learned.

Lessons Learned and Growth

While embarrassing moments may feel mortifying in the moment, they often provide valuable life lessons and personal growth opportunities. These experiences teach us to embrace humility, develop resilience, and foster empathy towards others facing embarrassing situations. At The Knowledge Nest, we believe that sharing our stories can help create a compassionate and understanding community.

Embracing Vulnerability

Vulnerability is an integral part of being human. By sharing our most embarrassing moments, we showcase our authenticity and invite others to do the same. The Knowledge Nest is dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive space for individuals to express themselves openly and without judgment, fostering connections through shared human experiences.

Your Turn to Share

We've shared some unforgettable tales, and now it's your turn! We invite you to recount your most embarrassing moments and celebrate the beauty of imperfection. Submit your stories on our platform, and let's create a vibrant community where laughter and understanding thrive. Remember, your story has the power to entertain, inspire, and unite.

Join The Knowledge Nest Community Today!

At The Knowledge Nest, we value the diversity of stories and perspectives within our community. By joining us, you'll have access to a multitude of captivating articles, engaging discussions, and the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. Don't miss out on the enriching experience that awaits you at The Knowledge Nest. Sign up now and embark on a journey of discovery, growth, and laughter!

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My Most Embarrassing Moment

My Most Embarrassing Moment Some things are easier to remember, than to forget. I can remember my most embarrassing moment as if it happened yesterday. I’ve tried to forget about this moment all my life, but it just never goes away. I can think back to that day and just laugh. I was nine years old, and I was attending elementary school. I was starting my fourth grade year with no friends. I was a quiet and shy person, so I never hung out with the other kids. After a few months I manage to make friends and wasn’t so shy anymore, until one day. It was Monday December 10, 1999. Like any other day I got up and ready for school.

I notice that it was very cold outside, so I asked my mom to drop me off at school. On my arrival, I immediately entered the school and went downstairs to the cafeteria, where I met with some of my classmates. Time passed by and the first bell ran and everyone including myself started heading upstairs to homeroom. My homeroom was on the 4th floor. I used to hate this because by the time I would get to the 4th floor, I would be tired and running out of breath. While trying to my catch breath, I had to walk all the way down this long hallway, just to get to my classroom, which was room 313.

I finally got there, and immediately went inside the classroom, and said “hi” to my teacher Miss. Fitzgerald. I sat down in my assign seat, which was the first seat on the second row. As we were waiting for the rest of the class to come in, my friend Raul, who was sitting behind me said “hi. ” He usually didn’t talk to me, because I was too shy. And I didn’t talk to him, because he was consider the cutes boy in my class, who every girl used to like. But to me he was just like any other boy who pretended to be a young Justin Timberlake, but with no fame. We exchanged a few words and then the teacher begun to lecture.

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Hours when by and it was finally time for lunch. After forming a line, we started to go downstairs to the cafeteria. As we went down, I started to smell the food, which that day we were having pizza. It smelled like juicy cheese melting down in warm tomato sauce! I couldn’t wait to sit and eat. Shortly after that, it was time to return to class. Once again, we made a line and headed upstairs. As we got to the fourth floor, I felt someone touch my butt. I turn around quickly to figure out who had touched me inappropriately and the only person I saw behind me was my friend Raul.

I didn’t know what to do, my heart was pumping like if I had just gotten chase by zombies. I was so scared that I started to cry. Everyone gazed at me, wondering what was wrong. In the meantime, my teacher Miss. Fitzgerald kept asking me in a loud tone of voice, “What is the problem Coyna? ” I didn’t want to answer her in front of the whole class. She then kept asking me the same question in louder tone of voice. I had no choice, but to tell her out loud, “Raul touched my butt! ” At the moment, my body went numb. My face turned red as a strawberry.

I was so embarrass because no one has ever touched me like that before. Everyone kept looking at me with eagle eyes, as if I was their prey hunt. In my mind I just keep saying “oh my god why did this happened to me and why are all eyes on me”. I felt so uncomfortable that I wanted to hide under a rock and not come out in years. We finally got to the classroom where Miss. Fitzgerald ordered the rest of the class to go inside. She then asked Raul if what I was saying was true, and Raul denied everything making me look like a liar. Consequently, the teacher didn’t do anything but give Raul a warning.

Afterward, I felt very embarrass and didn’t talk to anybody for a whole week, including the teacher. Finally, every time I think about this experience in Elementary School I can’t help myself but to laugh. I was only nine years old in the fourth grade, who would had thought that something like this could had happen to me. It was not a pleasant situation; I just wish I was matured enough to handle it differently. However, I was fortunate enough to learn from such experience, even though I am still embarrassed about that day. Just remember that what happens unexpectedly stays forever as a memory.

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The Most Embarrassing Moment In my Life

Introduction, the waiting.

Every year our school holds a week-long cultural festival that is aimed at identifying and nurturing talents as well as showcasing the rich cultural diversity in our country. All through the cultural week, different events are held during the night and others in the daytime. The main events such as games, public lectures, etc. are held at the main square during the day when everybody including the staff and neighboring communities can attend. Real talent shows such as songs and dances, poetry, and beauty contests are held during the night. It is during the culture week in our last year that two of my friends and I decided that we had a talent for poetry. We had been preparing for this night for ages and were convinced that we had the most amazing voices and talents in poetry. We were planning to rock the whole auditorium with our recitals, which our patron had approved with glowing remarks. But as fate would have it, the best-laid plans are not always the most successful ones as we discovered with my friends. Our well-polished plans came to a total disaster when I fell on stage before our presentation.

It was finally the big day, one that we had been making plans for and awaiting with bated breath. The day was so majestic you could see it shine with a welcoming sun and a sky a beautiful blue. The school grounds looked like a big carnival with people dressed in all colors. Soon it was evening and the event was to start at eight o’clock and all contestants were to report at seven-thirty in the changing room of the school auditorium, where the event was to take place. The auditorium is a huge, round room arranged in three rows of seats and a stage perched at one corner and rose such that everybody has an obstructed view of what is happening. Once on the stage one had a feeling of being swallowed by a giant or of floating in the Indian Ocean.

We were at the changing room at the back of the auditorium as I mused over the way things never go the way they are meant to be. We could have a view of one side of the gigantic room from the look of it there was not even a breathing space. It was a Friday night and you can imagine every soul in the school was in the room. I started having jitters all over my body and if you looked closely you could see my heart trying to escape from my chest beneath my cute flowery top. My friends were no better. The big changing room was a beehive of activity as participants, in all shades and designs of ridiculous costumes, were busy trying to put everything in order as they awaited their turn to present their pieces. You could cut the tension in the room with a knife.

Finally, it was our turn and I could see the coordinator standing at the door and beckoning us to the stage as was the plan. All of a sudden, my legs could not move, it was as if they were made of lead and my friends came and roughly dragged me towards the door. As I came out, to say I was astonished would be an understatement. I could not believe it. The unusually large room was full to the brim and I could not make out a single face, only a sea of faces. A cold shiver ran through my body and I stood there transfixed, my friends, realizing this dragged me on. Then it was very quiet you could hear a needle drop, they were waiting for us to begin. As I came to the top of the stairs, I missed one step and fell, face down, down the stairs. Within a second people were all over me and there was pandemonium in the auditorium as people rushed to help me others asking in panic what had happened. Right then I wished the ground could open up and swallow me but, no such luck as the Master of a ceremony called people to order apologized and we were asked to begin. I went through the pieces in a daze I have never been so embarrassed.

Though we make meticulous plans of our days, lives and events, this does do not go smoothly as we want them. The day my friends and I planned to outshine was marked by embarrassment, which we overcame brilliantly according to our colleagues, to win in the poetry contest. From this, I learned to put on a brave face and smile every time I find myself in an embarrassing situation.

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My Most Embarrassing Moment Essay Example

Bad days and embarrassing moments often come in each and everyone's life. To some extent, they happen at the most unexpected times of our lives. I have too faced a bad and embarrassing moment at a certain time of my life, on that fateful day, many things came my way. Besides, I was faced with several difficulties on that same day. A series of embracing and terrible experienced occurred and they were really disappointing. It was on a rainy day. My parents and my younger siblings had attended a wedding ceremony after which they were expected to come and watch me perform in the national science club competition. I had prepared a biology exhibit, and I was confident enough, it would emerge the best exhibition among others.

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I did not accompany them to the celebration reason being I was left at home to prepare for my presentation. However, I was instructed to wait for my uncle who was to come and pick me up to our school amphitheater, where the exhibitions were to take place. It was around ten-thirty in the morning when our doorbell rang and it was my auntie and my cousins, I wondered why she came instead of my uncle. I honored them by asking them to sit in my drawing room where I used to practice for the competition. Also, I had planned to present to them my exhibit for a pre-judging. At the moment I was 100% confident that my exhibit was among the best and no one could prove me otherwise.

As usual, I rushed to the kitchen to make coffee and some pancakes for them. I was in a hurry since I wanted to show off to them my exhibit. When I began making the pancakes, I forgot that I had left the milk boiling on the cooker, it poured, and that gave me a rough time, bearing in mind I needed to hurry up so that I could not be late for the performance. It was a sad moment, but I kept my eye on watch not to mess anymore in the kitchen. That did not break my heart nor was I discourage, I wiped the tea and served the snacks. At around one hour to midday, I completed the task, and I prepared to perform to my aunt before going to the main performance.

On finishing the exhibit, my cousins were very overwhelmed by what I had finally managed to create. Moreover, my aunt added a complement to me by saying that I had done something beyond her expectation. So she was very eager to see me perform for the judges. While they sipped the coffee, I rushed to my room to prepare; I was careful on my dress code because I wanted to look presentable for both the judges and the audience. I did not waste much time, in the dressing room. I instructed my cousin to pick the tools for my exhibit and take them to the car. By quarter past midday, we had all set off to the center of science exhibition, which was 150 kilometers from my home. In one hour time, we had all arrived at the center.

Everyone in the compound seemed to be in a hurry and busy. No one was idling, apart from a man who had sat on a chair next to the exit door of the amphitheater. We hanged around the school compound which was behind the amphitheater with my cousin and other classmates who come to support and cheer me up as I performed. My best friend peter advice that I should go to one of the empty room and perfect my exhibit but I hesitated because I was over confident that I had done an excellent practice before. After a period of like one hour, it was almost my time to perform and so I moved near the center of performance. We entered and immediately my name was called, I courageously stood up; my cousin accompanied me as she had carried my exhibition tools.

I had begun the presentation with much energy until when it was time to present the practical part of it. It happened that my cousin had not brought all the requirements for the exhibit. I panicked but the judges instructed me to go on with what I had carried. They also complimented that my talk was among the best. I did not give up but deep down I knew that things would not go as I expected. I gained more courage and confident and went on with my performance. The practical did not take long, within a period of ten minutes, I was through with the presentation and I left the stage with a smile. Everyone applauded and that brought my sureness back.

Two more students performed after which, the judges stood to announce the winners of the competition. Before the first position winner was called, I had already stood because I was sure that was my position, I had even begun to wave at my parent and friends as a sign of show off to them. The first position was not awarded to me nor the second and the third too. I felt very embarrassed at the moment, I did not wait for the rest of the students but I sadly walked towards the parking lot. For sure it was my most embarrassing moment that I will never forget.

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My Most Embarrassing Moment Essay

It was in December, during my Christmas vacation, when I decided to start looking for a summer job. There were many options but the job I decided to apply for was a position as a lifeguard at a waterpark. I filled out an application and was accepted almost immediately. The only thing left was the lifeguard training; little did I know that it was going to be an experience I would never forget. The aquatic rescue part of the training was held the week of my spring break. I was excited about the training session because I was finally going to meet some of the people that would work with me and get to see what the job was like. The day before the session a meeting was held for all the people who had been accepted. Here I …show more content…

This made my body less buoyant and my speed somewhat slow. There were two sixteen year old girls in the lanes on either side of me who swam with the agility of dolphins. These girls and everyone else beat me to the finish, which did not help my nineteen-year-old ego. I wanted to crawl away and hide but was determined not to let myself be outdone. The next part of the training turned out to be the toughest. We were required to dive ten feet to the bottom of the pool and retrieve a ten pound weight. Once the weight was brought to the surface we were supposed to tread water for two minutes while keeping the weight above the water line. This appeared to be simple so I dived in, expecting an easy time . I had no trouble getting the weight to the surface and proceeded to tread water with a feeling of undoubtable success. But once again my anti-floating physical quality began to take effect. At one minute and thirty seconds I began to sink and within the next fifteen seconds my head was submerged and I was fighting for air. The water from the pool began flowing into my mouth with each desperate grasp for air; it felt as if an ocean were draining into my body. I remember hearing from under the water the instructor's muffled voice counting down the last ten seconds of the exercise. When it was all over I slowly made my way back to the pool's edge where I was informed by the two young girls that they had no difficulty

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My dying wife hoped to inspire people with her essay. They ended up inspiring her.

Not everyone has moments of clarity when they find out they are dying. My wife did.

The letters began arriving months ago at our house and in our inboxes. By my count there are more than 500 of them, and that’s just from strangers.

People were writing to my wife, Amy Ettinger, who died last month at age 49. You might know Amy from her words in these pages about the end of her life .

Her aggressive cancer had winnowed her body, and her strength was so limited that she dictated the essay to me in a sunlit glass-lined reading room at the University of California at Santa Cruz rather than typing it out herself.

As we overlooked a redwood forest, Amy had no way of predicting that the lines she composed on the spot would be calls to action for readers from all over the United States, as well as Canada, Poland, France and Greece.

She was flooded with responses to her essay, which essentially asked: What would your life look like if you cared much less about what other people think of you?

Could life be “a series of moments,” and not the endless pursuit of stability over bliss, or working for some long-delayed dream of post-retirement fulfillment?

Amy had a history of embracing creative risk and adventure, and wrote how putting friends and family first allowed her to face her terminal cancer diagnosis with a deep gratitude for the life she loved.

“Lasting love is about finding someone who will show up for you,” Amy wrote.

And also: “I’ve always tried to say ‘yes’ to the voice that tells me I should go out and do something now, even when that decision seems wildly impractical.”

Her essay touched people near and very far, and for reasons that surprised us, strangers wanted to connect with her before she died. They wanted to share their own stories and gratitude with her.

It offered her a comfort she did not know she needed.

Here are some of the ones that moved her the most.

“I live in a small town in Idaho that is full of hate, and after reading your story, I need to sell and move!” one message read.

Another reader wrote that he felt trapped on a corporate career ladder and was feeling anxious, which was stressing his mental health and close relationships.

“I have 10 chapters of a weird and wonderful novel and haven’t done anything with that in months even though it would probably only take a few solid weeks to finish writing it,” he wrote. “I will carry a tiny piece of your intrepid creative spirit with me as I rearrange my priorities in honor of remembering what’s truly important in life (which … isn’t corporate America).”

For one Los Angeles-based reader, Amy’s column was the tipping point that made him go ahead and book an endlessly postponed trip and reunion with loved ones.

“You helped me to realize I have said NO to too many life-affirming memories, even as our family has experienced a lot of loss over the years,” the reader said. “I am going to let my wife, daughter and son know that I will take that trip to Kastoria, Greece, home of their paternal ancestors, most of whom were taken to the camps during World War II. We will spend wonderful family time in a beautiful place and thank our family who came before us for their sacrifices. And I will think of you and say a prayer and send my eternal gratitude.”

Other readers spoke of lives crammed with tedious complications, from high-maintenance people to useless possessions.

One such reader thanked Amy for “really driving home [the] message to stop faffing around with crap that doesn’t matter and make the most of whatever time I have left. During the past few years of loss, dislocation, and general global craziness, I’ve forgotten this and come pretty close to giving up—on writing, yes, but more than that, on living. Sure, I drag through the motions for the sake of the people I love, but in a way that thumbs a nose at the monumental gift that life truly is. Your story and, again, your utmost humanity in sharing it have flipped a switch in me, and for that, I sincerely and ardently thank you.”

Some readers said the essay helped them realize that moments of joy and repose can lead to resilience in the midst of suffering. If Amy was dealing with Stage 4 cancer and could find so much light in her life, what was their excuse, anyway?

“Oh, how I cried and cried,” one reader said about reading Amy’s essay. “I then printed it out and placed it in my Bible. It’ll stay there so when I’m ready to give up on life again, I’ll read it and keep going.”

But the message that touched Amy beyond the others came from someone she knew, journalist Dania Akkad , who remembered an intervention Amy made on her behalf while working as a reporter for a California newspaper in the early 2000s. Akkad was an intern at the paper .

“We had a writing coach visit that summer,” Akkad recalled. “Long story short, you overheard me in the bathroom saying he’d made a pass at me when I had a meeting to discuss my reporting career (well at least that’s what I thought it was!). You came out of the bathroom stall and you said if I didn’t report this to management, you would.”

“It all felt so embarrassing and awkward and, well, my fault!” Akkad wrote. “Anyway, I did go to management largely because you put the pressure on. However many years later, I am so glad to have done that - and so grateful you interceded in that moment. It’s a fork-in-the-road event that has informed how I respond to this kind of crap. A real teaching moment. So thank you so very much. And thank you too for writing so lucidly about your experience now.”

Not all the notes were that lovely. Inevitably, a few were unwelcome, including missives from ultrareligious people wanting my proudly Jewish wife to get saved to spare herself from hellfire. And she smiled at the messages promoting quack remedies.

The many grateful responses prove that even now, in this era of online trolls and fake feedback generated by bots, engaged and thoughtful people really can make a difference by reaching out, human to human.

She carried this with her in her final weeks as she’d sit with me watching a great blue heron circling the sky over Santa Cruz Harbor. Or pulling up her favorite chair and watching the skateboarders, dog walkers and street basketball players on the other side of her picture window.

In this way, she embodied the spirit of her words. “I have never had a bucket list,” she wrote. “Instead, I said ‘yes’ to life.”

Dan White is the author of “ Under The Stars: How America Fell In Love With Camping ” and “ The Cactus Eaters: How I Lost My Mind And Almost Found Myself On The Pacific Crest Trail .” His website is www.danwhitebooks.com .

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