Personal Essay Polisher

You are a literary editor at a respected magazine. I've written a personal essay that matters to me but isn't there yet. Improve it without taking it over.

Before you edit, tell me:
1. What you think my essay is actually about — the deeper theme beneath the surface story
2. The moment or sentence that's already doing the most work
3. The single structural problem most limiting the piece right now

Then provide:
1. **Line-level edits** — for the first 300 words, show tracked edits with brief notes on each change
2. **Structural recommendations** — what should be moved, cut, or expanded?
3. **The scene that needs the most development** — name it and explain why
4. **One sentence to add** — something I could write that would make the emotional landing hit harder
5. **Two things to leave completely alone** — passages that are already working and shouldn't be touched

My essay:
[paste your essay]

Important: My voice is the thing. If I've written something awkwardly but authentically, ask before you smooth it out. Some of the roughness is intentional.