Christmas Morning

Authors note: I wrote this poem just for fun. It is a free verse poem.

I jump out of bed

And run down the stairs

Take down my stocking

And rip the wrapping paper

my face lights up

It's exactly what I wanted

I know it's going to be the best Christmas ever

Lying

Authors Note: I wrote this essay to show a valuable lesson that I learned when I was younger.


"Tommy!" Mrs. Calvin yelled, "Keep your eyes on your own paper!"

"I was just looking at the clock!" Tommy lied, he had forgotten to study the previous night and didn't know any of the answers on the test.

"I'll see you after class Mr. McDonald!"

Tommy rolled his eyes at his Math teacher. Mrs. Calvin saw him and told him he would have to call his parents too. After class Tommy had a conversation with Mrs. Calvin about how cheating is wrong and he shouldn't do it, but what she was really worried about was that he lied to her.  That's all he heard before he stopped paying attention because he had heard this conversation multiple times from different teachers. He was probably more used to staying after class and having detentions than an average student. When his parents were called Tommy was supposed to tell them what he had done wrong. He told his parents a different lie. He told them that he had heard something fall across the room so he looked up. His parents knew that he was lying and told him they would have a discussion when he was done with school. If Tommy hadn't lied the situation would been resolved a lot easier and Tommy would have been in a lot less trouble. Lying is the most harmful way of getting out of trouble.

I was taught at a very young age not to lie. In my house it was, and still is very clear that lying is not acceptable. My dad's number one rule is if you do something wrong, to tell him because the punishment will be less than if I lied. I know that if I lie to my parents and they find out, their trust we will be gone, and hard to get back. You won't know how important the gift of trust is until it's gone.

How does lying help you? It doesn't. You may think lying helps you get "off the hook," that's a lie. Lying makes your whole conflict more complicated and harder to resolve. If you tell a lie it can spread. It may spread to the person the lie was about or it could result in hurt feelings or consequences. What would you do if someone told a lie about you to get themselves out of trouble? When you lie it can be harmful to you and anyone around you.

How 4 Words Changed My Outlook on Life

Authors Note:  This is NOT a true story. I wrote this story because I have thought about what I would do if I was told I had 6 months to live. Also, the movie, The Bucket List gave me ideas of what to put on the bucket list.

 Have you ever thought tragic events only happen in movies or on the news? Have you ever thought that nothing bad could ever happen to you? Do you think that someone will always be there to protect you? Well, that's a lie. The truth is "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get." - Forest Gump


"Pain", pain is the most frequently used word in my vocaubulary. I say, "I'm in pain," when nurses, family, and friends ask how I'm doing, which is everyday. I know I am fortunate enough to have so much love given to me, but I feel that nothing and no one can heal my uncontrollable disease.

"I have your test results," my doctor said to me in a mildly unconvincing voice. 

"OK," both my parents and I said while taking in deep breaths.  "We're ready to hear them." All three of us were holding hands on my hospital bed.

"It's not good news."

At that point my heart was in my stomach.

"You have," he took a pause and then continued, "6 months maximum to live."  He then said, "I'm sorry," and left the room in silence.

The room was silent, only with a few loud whimpers coming from my mom. I didn't know what to think. It didn't seem real but at the same time I knew it was.

Being told that you could die anytime in the next 6 months really makes you think. "Did I enjoy my time here on earth? Did I bring joy to others? What do I want to do before I leave?  What can I do, so that when the time comes I'm ready to leave without any regrets?"

I really thought about the third question. "What do I want to do before I leave?"  I then decided to write a bucket list. I wrote down the first thoughts that popped into my head.

1. Go to Hawaii
2. Meet President Barack Obama
3. Throw the first pitch at a Brewers game
4. Visit the Great Wall of China
5. Go skydiving
6. Go Bunji Jumping
7. Have lunch with Sandra Bullok

I told my parents about my list containing a passel of ideas, and they of course wanted me to be happy, so they agreed to it. The first event I got to do was throw the first pitch at the Brewers game. It was an amazing experience. The announcer told the fans my story(I don't think there was a dry eye in the whole stadium) and I got to stand next to Trevor Hoffman on the pitching mound and throw the first pitch. The whole stadium errupted in clapping and hollering like they all just won the lottery. After the game I got to hang out with the whole Brewer team. It was an experience that any sports fanatic would pay a lot of money for.

Next, I took a 14 hour plane ride to the beautiful beaches of Hawaii. I stayed there for 3 days and soaked up all the sun I could. After sitting on the beaches I decided to head to the capitol and spend a day in the White House. I had a fun time with President Obama, his wife Michelle and their daughters. I then went to the Great Wall of China, bunji jumping, and had lunch with Sandra Bullok.

When I was 3,000 ft. above the ground about to jump out of an airplane I realized that I wasn't happy with the way I was spending the last part of my life, but I didn't know why. I had diligently done everything I had ever wanted to and more. Something just wasn't right. After I safely landed I finally realized what it was. I wasn't fufilling my second question. "Have I brought joy to others?"

Everything I had done over the last month has been for me and nobody but me. Why do everything for myself when I will be gone soon? Why not make a difference in the lives of others that will still be here when I'm gone? And that's just what I did. I first started in the Phillipians and then went  to Haiti. I had made it on the news in every state and in all newspapers. I was proud of myself and I knew my family was too. I went all across the world helping families and children by giving them food, shelter, hope, and love.

When my time came to leave the earth I was ready. I knew I lived 13 wonderful years and made an impact in many lives. That was the best feeling I could ever imagine.

Stranded

     "Am I dreaming" "Is this really happening to me?"
I try to shake myself awake but  I realize I am awake and this is not a dream.  I feel like I am a part of  a History movie. I wish this was just a movie and that I'm sitting on the couch with a bowl of popcorn watching it. This is for real I really am on a raft in the middle of the ocean surrounded by nothing except water and whatever creatures lurk underneath me.

   My story begins when I was at the state fair. I went for a day to check it out and see what the new attractions were this year. I decided to look around in the building were the advertisers try to sell you cheesy junk that they make you think you need. I walked around a while and watched all the people who fell into the advertisers traps. I just laughed and kept walking. I roamed the building until I came across a stand that interested me. It was about Cruises. I talked to the lady at the stand for a while and then I entered myself in a drawing for a free 7day cruise in the Bahamas. I decide I was done at the fair so I grabbed a funnel cake and left.
 The following week was like every other week. I go to work in the morning and then come home and go to school. I'm taking some classes at night so I can hopefully get my bachelors degree soon. One night while I was on way home from school I got a phone call. I didn't recognize the number so I let it go to voice mail. When I got home I checked my phone and realized they had left a message. I listened to the message and couldn't believe what I heard. I had won a cruise in the Bahamas and I'm leaving tomorrow!! I quickly pack my suitcase with my swimsuits, shorts, tank tops, and of course flip flops. I'm so excited for my trip I have a hard time sleeping.

    When I arrive at the airport I find my flight and sit in the waiting area until I am told to board. I have a long flight but I finally land. When I land I retrieve my luggage and take a taxi to were I have to board the cruise ship. I board the ship and I'm immediately escorted to my room. My room is so fancy it even has a hot tub!!

 I immediately get my swimsuit on and head for the sky deck. I grab a lawnchair and find a place in the sun. I fall right to sleep. I must have been asleep for a long time and we must have traveled a long way because when I woke up to someone shaking me. They were screaming, "Wake up quick we have to get off the boat fast".

 I was extremely puzzled. I had no idea what was going on, until I stood up and realized water was gushing onto the boat. The boat was sinking!!! I followed the generous lady who had woken me up to were they were lowering people out of the boat and onto the yellow rafts. At this point in time I was scared to death. I mean, wouldn't you be? When I made my way to the front of the line and it was my turn to get on a raft, I was terrified. I had always been scared of the ocean and all the creatures in it, especially sharks. I told myself to be brave and I got on the raft. They lowered me into the water and off I went.

 Everybody on rafts were frantically trying to row and paddle towards shore. They honestly weren't going anywhere. I sat in my raft and watched them struggle. I must have been sitting for a while because the next thing I knew i was dreaming about being on a beautiful cruise. When I woke up I realized that i was alone there were no other rafts in sight. My heart stopped.

    I don't know how many days and nights I was stranded but it must have been at least a week.  I was so tired, hungry, and weak that I spent most of my time sleeping. One early morning when the sun was just rising I heard a boat's motor coming towards me.  I used the rest of my strength to wave my hands in the air and yell, "HELP".

   They luckily saw me and were kind enough to rescue me and bring me back to shore. After that I promised myself to never go on a cruise again.

Jelly Beans

I stand in the grocery aisle 

And see the flavors  go on for a mile

I can't help but stare

I want them all I declare

My mothers voice demands, "Absolutely not"

 I feel my temper getting hot

Isn't it normal to love candy when you're a teen

Let me have just one JELLY BEAN

In the Woods

I'm standing in the woods alone

My surroundings are unknown

 I'm scared out of my mind

While I'm in the woods blind

Questions are going through my head

While I'm wish  I was asleep in my bed

 I hear a door creak

And let out a little squeak

 I notice a sunlight stream

And realize it was just a dream

Response to: A Corner of the Universe

         When Hattie is walking up her Nana and Papa's driveway with her parents the front door bursts open and a figure runs out screaming, "Dorothy! Johnathan! Hattie! Oh, ho, ho, ho!!"
        He gives them all big hugs and they hug him back while saying, "Hi Adam!"
       They follow him in the house where he keeps on talking a mile a minute. They all sit down for dinner where Adam has his elbows on the table and his hand in his glass. He knows that Nana is getting mad and impatient but shows no sign of stopping. During dessert he tries to slurp down his whole ice cream and that's when Nana starts yelling, "Adam that does it!"
          Adam is already out of his seat and stomping away.

     That was the event that happened the first time 12 year old Hattie had ever met her uncle Adam. She was just told she had an uncle the night before and was extremely excited to meet him. Her parents also told her that Adam has some problems, mental problems. Hattie's mom said, "Adam has been living at a special school since he was very small but the school has closed so Adam will be staying with Nana and Papa until they find another school for him.
    Hattie was excited that she would have another person to keep her company during the summer while her best friend was on vacation.

       Hattie and Adam got to know each other very well and were good friends.  All of the tenants at Hattie's boarding house also got to know Adam. Adam even  had a crush on Angle Valentine, one of the tenants.       
      
     One day Adam came skipping to Hattie's in search for Angel. He had brought her flowers. Hattie let him in, and ran right up to her room he opened the door and he dropped the flowers and ran away crying. Angel had her boyfriend with her. Adam ran out the door and kept running. Later that day Nana called to see if Adam was at Hattie's house but Hattie replied no. Nana explained how she hadn't seen him all day. Hattie's parents and Nana and Papa go out to search for Adam and didn't come back till late that night. When they got home they asked Hattie to sit on the couch. When she was seated her parents told her what happened, "Adam hung himself in Nana and Papa's shed."

   That night Hattie cried herself to sleep while thinking of the great memories she had with Adam.











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