User blog comment:JoePlay/Wizarding World Giveaway/@comment-4196555-20110724195310

What does Harry Potter mean to me? Well, like everyone else trying to win this: everything. I never liked Harry Potter. When Philosophers Stone came out as a movie my dad made me watch it on a road trip to New York, and I kind of hated it. Years later (now) I am going into eleventh grade. I struggled in tenth grade. I was having severe lows and was self destructive to myself. My family was worried. I just did not want to die, but did not want to live, either. One day, I went to school and my friend tried to make me read the books. I refused. "No, I will never be a freak obsessed with Harry Potter! It's just weird and dumb!" So, naturally, she kept trying to force the books upon me. I gave in and borrowed the first book. I read it in a few hours. I loved it. I ended up reading the series in a month. It probably would have been faster if I had access to all the books. I finally had an escape from all the things in my life I did not want to deal with. I learned so much from all the characters. To stand up for what you know is right, to dare to be different, trying hard and being smart doesn’t always make you a loser, how to write a good essay for your English class (thanks J.K.!), etc. Yes, these books have taught me many things. They also helped me get out of a bout of depression, stopped myself from destructive actions towards myself, and generally just made me a happier person. I always have something to read or watch when I am feeling down. And it’s all thanks to J.K. Rowling. She is my hero. It is all thanks to her. If I ever got to meet her, I would not even be able to thank her for all she has done for me, after, of course I stop crying in excitement. I even told my parents I would rather spend one day at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter than go to Jamaica for a whole week. Going would mean the absolute world to me. And I would even be able to bring my friend who got me into the series, and my other friend who I think might be Harry Potter himself in disguise. But, even if I do not win this trip, it will be all right, because I know someone else who loves Harry just as much as I do will go and have the time of their life. I can always go later in life, whether it is with my family, friends, or my future kids that will love Harry as well. I think it would just be pretty cool if I won this trip though. So, I just hope I win, and good luck to everyone else, because you all deserve this just as much as I do!