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Wednesday, October 4, 2017

54 Minutes--Charis


With my shaved sides, vibrant red hair, tough persona, and walls up so that nothing and no one could enter into my life and hurt me like I was just hurt I walked into my fourth period U.S. History class with Mrs. Galindo and sat down in my assigned seat. I didn’t want to be wanted. I didn’t want someone to tell me they loved me or how beautiful I was. I wanted to feel my pain, and hate myself so that I could prove to everyone how worthless and unimportant I really was. Little did I know that those 54 minutes of my day would be the most valuable and important to my life thus far. Those 54 minutes would be what I looked forward to and would get me through the tragedies I’ve faced and would come to face in the coming year. I believe in signs and fate, that everything happens for a reason. The reason I chose the heart that said “Cutie” my freshman summer for orientation was to be revealed this year. Why, every six weeks in that class the seats would be randomly reassigned and I would always sit next to you. I had no idea that you would soon learn more about me than anyone else did and how you would take it upon yourself to put my shattered heart back together piece by piece, taking your time so you had a reason to stay with me until you didn't need a reason. I didn’t know I would cry for you, that you would be the person who I would call when everything in my life took a turn for the worst and I didn’t how I would survive my tragedy. I learned and am continuing to learn what love is. You don't have to say the “L” word to have it. It's not some light and fluffy word that is used whenever you want to fill the air with space. Love is staring into a certain someone's eyes for a period long enough to be deemed awkward and uncomfortable but it just isn't. Love is strong and honest. Love is right, and good, and beautiful and amazing. Love is being held in her arms and breathing as she does while I write this. In contrast, Love is hard. Love is very very hard. It is compromise, and arguing, and many mistakes that will continue to recur. Love is forgiveness and gratitude. You are not privileged or settling when you're in love. You are lucky and fortunate. I refuse to take you for granted because I am well aware that someday I may lose you and never have you returned to me. May God be so willing that I remain yours even in the afterlife. The reason I chose that orange heart that said “Cutie” on it at my freshman orientation was for the daily reminder that Cutie would always be apart of my heart and have my heart. I had no idea then of who you were or the significance you would have on my life. You are my cutie and have shaped my life for beauty. I've been given the opportunity to learn what love is, how to trust, and how to make your mistakes right. Something that would have never happened if it weren't for my Cutie. The reason we were randomly always seated together was because we are meant to be together and never separated. I'm not complaining. I am gladly looking forward to my future days with this cutie. Those 54 minutes in my fourth period History class with Mrs. Galindo were the most amazing and meaningful to my life. Without those precious 54 minutes of my day I would not have figuredout who I truly was. She gave me what I thought I wasn't worthy of and what I most needed. Happiness, acceptance and love. My love has made my life better and someone I don't want to live without. She is my cutie and my girl. I do not in any way deserve anyone as amazing as her but I have her and will always be grateful for her valuable and adventurous role in my life. With this love I am accepted and appreciated. Feelings are ok. They are amazing. And they are perfect. Those recurring 54 minutes of my day taught me what I was feeling and all that I could have. So thank you my love and thank you Mrs. Galindo for seating us together the whole year.

29 comments:

  1. The way you show Love to be more than just feelings, your piece made my heart melt the way you described your admiration for her. The use of your tone from gloomy in the beginning to a sense of warmth and happiness made this piece successful. I wish you the best of luck for your girl and you.

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  2. You and I seem to think alike in the way we appreciate the events that led us to people we love. I feel like not too many people think so hard on that, but I know I find it very interesting, plus the big "what if" questions. "What if I had had second lunch, would we have met later on?" "What if she hadn't taken that history class, would she be with a different girl, would they both be single until a different class pushed them together?" It's nice to know I'm not alone in that odd focus of the beginning.

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  3. This is so touching, and relatable. The self-realization of what the speaker needed the most and the person providing healing and love to the speaker, allows the narrative to be relatable. When you use syntax to "highlight" each phrase allows the audience to think deeply and understand the overall message. This narrative is very emotionally and heart-warming, good job!- Tiffany Soetojo

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  4. This Personal Narrative was so good! I really liked how you began the stroy and talking about not wanting to be left alone in the class and then you meeting someone and the entire tone of the story shifted into that person and the admiration and love you have for her. I was so well written and intriguing to read.
    -Jenna Jensen

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  5. Aww this is so sweet. Whoever this Cutie is has it going on if she's with you. This is good to see non-toxic, genuine relationships. This was somewhat inspiring to just keep going and that one day anyone will find their soulmate. Fate works its way out I guess. This was truly beautiful and inspiring.

    Sarah Skibby
    Per. 2

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  6. Seeing you in 4th period last year and now reading this makes my heart so happy. Being able to open up about something so personal like this is not something that is easy to do and i applaud you for that. A really beautiful piece!

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  7. This is an amazingly well-written piece and really pulled me in from beginning to finish. Your piece really brought me into your world and connected me with your story. Wonderful storytelling and strong writing. Seriously, this is great. -Behrouz Khokhar P.5

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  8. Probably the one of the only literature pieces that actually gives me hope to find love. Too often, we are hurt in our early romantic years and it dwindles our outlook on finding love because we believe it does not exist, but after reading this love story, my strength in fate only grows stronger. - Peyton V.

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  9. Yes my queens!! I can feel the loving and warm emotions through your words. The tone shift from hopeless in romance to hopeful wasn't done in an overused or cliche way like most romance writings nowadays. This was very refreshing to read and gives me hope that true love is still out there (: -Victoria M.

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  10. This piece was incredibly touching and so well written. I loved your use of imagery and really felt your heart in the words(if that makes sense). I hope the best for you and your relationship.

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  11. I always feel happy for people who are in love because its a feeling that everyone should experience and learn from. Love can teach a lot. - Jonathan Castillo

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  12. The way you define and describe love is so powerful and the way you talk about your Cutie gives me no doubt that you are absolutely in love with her. This piece leaves me wanting to know how your future turns out and hoping you two live a long and happy life together.
    -Genesis Mendoza

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  13. Your piece really opened my eyes. You have such a mature look on love, especially for a high school student. You have such an in-depth understanding that many lack. Your narrative makes finding love exciting and I'm looking forward to when I find my own.

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  14. I really enjoyed your imagery, especially in the very beginning of the piece. Also, I love the way that you're honest in conveying your feelings in your writing; it gives it a lot more power.

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  15. This is an extremely well-written piece. I felt intrigued from start to finish. Your use of imagery was great and the overall message is very inspring.

    -Akunna Chilaka

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  16. I think that's really sweet that you wrote something so personal and honest of your feelings. At a loss of words of how powerful your feelings are, that I have nothing else to say besides thank you for sharing.

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  17. The powerful word choice in this piece really solidifies its overall message of the impact love can have on someone's life. Not only is this an incredibly touching message but this personal narrative in general gives hope to those looking for love in their life.

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  18. This is a topic that will never cease to peak my interest. I thoroughly enjoyed reading in this first person format. Also I'm very happy to hear the end result of it all!

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  19. Beautifully written! I am glad you shared this personal narrative because it sheds light on a topic that people think they have and understand, but truly know nothing about. They way you talk about love makes you sound so mature, considering we are young and usually don't know what the future holds. I really like how you describe love as not just one thing. You talk about the ups and downs and uncertainty, but most importantly how beautiful it is and how it makes you feel. I hope you and your significant other have endless days together.
    -UNITY MONTALVO PERIOD 4

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  20. I really have no words. This was just composed so beautifully and told in an amazing way. I think this especially gets to me because of how much I can relate to this on so many levels. For someone who didn't want people to care, I really care about all these thoughts you let out. You put a definition to love that I thought couldn't be explained but you somehow did it perfectly. I wish you guys nothing but happiness.

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  21. Such a beautiful piece compiled illustrating the windy path of finding love. You two are magnificent girls that can't have anyone tell you otherwise and this piece says it all. The rhetoric, syntax, and detail are simply breathtaking. I applaud you my friend

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  22. Amazing! I respect you for opening up about your past to reveal how far you have come in the name of love.Your expert use of diction and style really brings the piece together. - Taren Thomas

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  23. You defined love so amazingly, I know this will turn out well in the future just like those fairy tales. Good job and good luck :)

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  24. This is so sweet Charis! i loved reading this especially because I was in that class with the both of you and took notice to how you two were always seated next to each other, and I wondered if Galindo did that on purpose!

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  25. This piece has left me speechless, you effectively use your words to make me feel your own emotions that you've described and your use of imagery when talking about the time spent with your girl has reminded me of the memories I've shared with my own. All in all, this was a very lovely piece.

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  26. What a heartfelt piece! I'm so happy for you and your girl, I couldn't help but smile while reading this narrative, thank you for that. Not everyday do you get to see two people so happy to be together, written in such a sweet way.

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  27. This post is very heartfelt and sincere and I completely agreed with the overall concept of love that was portrayed in this writing. this was a very good piece.

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  28. This piece really touched my heart. The influx of emotion just pouring with every word. The connection of the cutie heart in the beginning and how it pieces the whole story together. I loved this love story.

    -Candice Velasco

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  29. Hear it is, I was wondering where it was. If you're wondering what I'm talking about its the one writing that comes around once a month that makes me cry. And this would be that one. You've strung together a very touching a wonderful piece that felt like you poured you heart onto for everyone to see. It was incredibly effective at what you attempted to do and I congratulate you for it. -Oscar B.

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