The perspective made possible by the passage of time, I believe, will help you write a more thoughtful and interesting essay. It is important in your essay, therefore, to provide detailed descriptions of the places and people you involved. You may also want to include some dialogue, letting some of the characters in your story speak for themselves. We can learn a great deal about people's personalities, sometimes, by the way they talk and what they say. In this essay, your audience will want to learn a little about who you are and, through you, something about the world or life as you see it.
Life is full of simple lessons and small insights.
These are important, and readers appreciate little gems. But don't worry if, right now, you don't know just what makes your story special or important. If you think your story is worth telling, even if you can't say why, then most likely it is. Discovering, or even creating, the significance of an event is part of the writing process, which we will explore together. All this may seem like a lot to absorb at one time, and it is.