I think you should write "him" or "her" instead of "it." This will show more appreciation for the significance... it is not important to be accurate about the gender, but to acknowledge her humanity.
Unlike her, I have seen...
This is very abstract, but a good kind of abstract. I think you should add a middle paragraph in which you explain the circumstances, the details of where you were... not too many details, but make the reader understand for sure what the experience was.
Near the end, tell specifically what personality characteristics this experience brought out in you.
Kevin, EssayForum.com