If no one was ever given a second chance there would be very few successful people in the world.  Hardly anyone accomplishes a goal on their first attempt.  The famous quote by Thomas H. Palmer, “‘Tis a lesson you should heed, Try, try again. If at first you don’t succeed, Try, try again,” strongly supports the idea of second, third, and fourth chances.  Some of the worlds’ greatest accomplishments have been subsequent of numerous failures and second chances.  NASA for example, faced countless failures before finally putting a man on the moon.  Had they given up or not been given any more chances by the government, there may not be an American flag on the moon.

Regardless of their background everyone is entitled to another chance.  There are several examples of celebrities who have been given second chances and accomplished great things because of it.  Michael Franzese was a well known Mafia boss who had it all.  He was the head of scams in auto dealerships, union kickbacks, and gas-tax schemes.  Every week he was earning millions of dollars illegally.  One day he met Camille Garcia who gave Franzese a second chance.  He fell in love with her, made her his wife, and is now out of the Mafia.  He is very fortunate to have been able to leave the crime family to whom he made a blood covenant without being killed.  Franzese is aware of how blessed he is and is using his second chance to inspire others to stay clear of the path to which he fell victim.  He has published a book and speaks to crowds regularly describing his story.  Franzese’s second chance has had positive impacts on thousands of lives.  Had he not been given this chance not only would he still be crime bound but he would have never been able to touch the lives of others and make clear the dangers of mob life.

I have been given a remarkable second chance.  I grew up in a household with a very abusive brother.  Him and I were home alone together for a majority of our days and there were numerous occasions on which my life was in great danger.  My father died when I was three and my brother was just a baby.  Whether this is the cause of my brother’s problems or not, I may never know.  For as long as I can remember he has always been an angry person.  No matter what I did to help him or be there for him he would always find a reason to lash out in violence.  I began to accept that that was the life I deserved.  My junior year in high school I started sharing my story with a friend who helped me see that this was not at all the life I was meant to lead.  After being persuaded by my friend I approached my pastor with the situation.  Together my friend and pastor found me a safe place to live.  This freedom from a life of abuse was an amazing second chance for me.  It was a chance to reflect on what I’d been through and to heal and forgive.  By doing so I became a much stronger person.  It gave me the confidence to love myself and taught me that it is okay to put my own interests first sometimes, especially when my safety is at risk.  Most importantly my second chance gave me the ability to turn around and give a second chance to my brother, who so desperately needed one.

My brother is now attending counseling and will hopefully someday be able to function successfully in society.  My moving out of the house truly provided him with a  second chance to change his life.  By being absent from the household my mother and brother are being given the opportunity to connect and understand each other better than they did before.  I want nothing but the best for my brother and hope with all my heart that he treasures and learns as much from his second chance as I have.

Everyone deserves a second chance, no matter what the situation is.  For Michael Franzese it was a deliverance from a life of crime.  For me it was a chance to save my life and free myself from a cycle of abuse.  For my brother it was a chance to get off a path that was leading nowhere but destruction and pain.  Everyone, no matter what they have done, has the capability of turning their life around.  All they need is someone to give them the chance and to believe that they can do it.