As a new decade looms over us, our December Writers are up and ready to take you into the new year.
I know many of you are resting, vacationing, partying and spending quality time with family and friends. Your comments are not due until Monday, January 13th. Take your time and enjoy the rest of this week before we head back into school.
Read ALL pieces, choose your three (3) that you wish to comment. Remember to state why you have chosen the piece. Take your time to leave thoughtful feedback.
Have a most wonderful New Year's Eve!!!!!!!
December Writers,
Only leave comments for your peers if you wish. Otherwise, you have the month off!!!!
See you next year!!!
All my love,
Mrs. Solano
p.s. Hope you are all enjoying Jane Eyre. Don't forget about her :)
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Goodnight Baby--Tiffany
Have you ever stepped outside of your comforting house just to be engulfed by the crisp
morning air and smothered by the smell of fresh dew from the newly cut grass? Everything is at
peace, the birds chirp to wake up the sleeping town. Well, I have never felt that feeling. You
see, mama has always told me to never step outside without her next to me or I will regret it.
The times I have gone out with her the world seemed dark and smoke burned my nostrils to the
point where I had to use my shirt to cover it. My city is littered with, as mama states, “bad people
that I can’t trust,” as if I’m being targeted. Yet, I never felt scared, cause mama was always
there to protect me. Everyday when I wake up and walk downstairs, she’s always there, sitting
at the table flashing me the biggest smile and saying “good-morning baby, I love you.”
This particular morning, however, mama wasn’t home. I walked downstairs expecting her to be sitting at the table knitting anything you can possibly think of. Yet, this time she wasn’t there. I walked around the house, thinking of everything that could have possibly happened to her. For the first time, I felt worried.
I sat at the table where mama and I ate all our meals, sharing memories and laughs. Suddenly, the door swung open followed by a woman coughing and holding several bags. I shoot my head towards the door and I see mama! All of my worries melt away and I feel at peace again.
“Mama!” I shouted, running up to hug her.
“Good morning baby, I love you,” she replies, “Sorry I was out for so long, I just got some groceries before things become worse.”
I didn’t understand what she meant by that but I just smiled and hugged her again.
“Mama, I was wondering if I could play with my new ball outside later today.” I said.
Mama replied abruptly, “sweetheart, you can’t go outside, not by you-“
“I know not by myself, but I was thinking that I can play with some of the other kids and show them my new ball.”
I know there are kids in my town, but I never met them. I don’t really have any friends at all. I’m just itching to be a regular kid and play with other kids my age.
“Anastasia, you know I love you and I want the best for you, but I can’t risk anything bad happening to you, ever.”
“Mama you always say that, but nothing bad happens! Please just this one time.”
“Anna you are not going outside and that’s final!”
I rush to my room. It’s not fair. Why can I not go play with the other kids. What’s so wrong with this entire town. Nothing has happened to me or mama, I’m safe here. I want to play. So I grab my ball, slowly tiptoe down the stairs and slip past mama who, thankfully doesn’t hear me exiting the house.
This is it! I can play! I can run and bounce my ball and be a normal kid! I’m caught up in so much excitement and new emotions I don’t see the group of big people all dressed the same, white baggy shirts and big blue jeans, approach me. I stop in my tracks with wide eyes and say, “Hello, I’m Anastasia! Wanna be friends?”
This particular morning, however, mama wasn’t home. I walked downstairs expecting her to be sitting at the table knitting anything you can possibly think of. Yet, this time she wasn’t there. I walked around the house, thinking of everything that could have possibly happened to her. For the first time, I felt worried.
I sat at the table where mama and I ate all our meals, sharing memories and laughs. Suddenly, the door swung open followed by a woman coughing and holding several bags. I shoot my head towards the door and I see mama! All of my worries melt away and I feel at peace again.
“Mama!” I shouted, running up to hug her.
“Good morning baby, I love you,” she replies, “Sorry I was out for so long, I just got some groceries before things become worse.”
I didn’t understand what she meant by that but I just smiled and hugged her again.
“Mama, I was wondering if I could play with my new ball outside later today.” I said.
Mama replied abruptly, “sweetheart, you can’t go outside, not by you-“
“I know not by myself, but I was thinking that I can play with some of the other kids and show them my new ball.”
I know there are kids in my town, but I never met them. I don’t really have any friends at all. I’m just itching to be a regular kid and play with other kids my age.
“Anastasia, you know I love you and I want the best for you, but I can’t risk anything bad happening to you, ever.”
“Mama you always say that, but nothing bad happens! Please just this one time.”
“Anna you are not going outside and that’s final!”
I rush to my room. It’s not fair. Why can I not go play with the other kids. What’s so wrong with this entire town. Nothing has happened to me or mama, I’m safe here. I want to play. So I grab my ball, slowly tiptoe down the stairs and slip past mama who, thankfully doesn’t hear me exiting the house.
This is it! I can play! I can run and bounce my ball and be a normal kid! I’m caught up in so much excitement and new emotions I don’t see the group of big people all dressed the same, white baggy shirts and big blue jeans, approach me. I stop in my tracks with wide eyes and say, “Hello, I’m Anastasia! Wanna be friends?”
They don’t reply, they just smirk and look at one another and reach into their pockets to pull out
this weird looking object.
“Do you wanna play with me and my ball?”
“Anastasia!” I hear Mama call out my name.
“Anastasia get back here right now! Run!”
I dropped my ball and run over but I’m halted by loud booming sounds. Moments later I hear sirens and they get louder and louder. The big people scatter and it’s just me, Mama and some people in my town.
Mama rushed to me and stopped right in front of me.
“See Mama I told you I was fine, those people left, I love you Mama.”
Mama didn’t reply. She looked shocked, worried and on the brink of tears.
“Mama, I’m okay I’m right here.”
Still no answer, she wasn’t even looking at me.
I turn around and see a little girl lying on the street with blood seeping from her back. That little girl... was me. Every emotion leaves my soul.
I watch as mama approaches my body, kneels down and sobs. I go to Mama and hug her and I feel protected, just like every single morning.
“Mama,” I say, “I’m okay now, you don’t have to worry.”
A long time passes and I finally listen to the last words she will ever say to me.
“Goodnight, baby... I love you.”
“Do you wanna play with me and my ball?”
“Anastasia!” I hear Mama call out my name.
“Anastasia get back here right now! Run!”
I dropped my ball and run over but I’m halted by loud booming sounds. Moments later I hear sirens and they get louder and louder. The big people scatter and it’s just me, Mama and some people in my town.
Mama rushed to me and stopped right in front of me.
“See Mama I told you I was fine, those people left, I love you Mama.”
Mama didn’t reply. She looked shocked, worried and on the brink of tears.
“Mama, I’m okay I’m right here.”
Still no answer, she wasn’t even looking at me.
I turn around and see a little girl lying on the street with blood seeping from her back. That little girl... was me. Every emotion leaves my soul.
I watch as mama approaches my body, kneels down and sobs. I go to Mama and hug her and I feel protected, just like every single morning.
“Mama,” I say, “I’m okay now, you don’t have to worry.”
A long time passes and I finally listen to the last words she will ever say to me.
“Goodnight, baby... I love you.”
Tyler’s Roommates--Marisa
"Tyler, Tyler..." I open my eyes. I'm sore and I don't know where I am or how I got here.
The girl sitting in front of me, waking me up is named Brianna. Brianna has the most beautiful tan skin and curly black hair, that highlights her green eyes so well. I think I love her, but I have a sense I can't touch her. I sit up and ask, "Where are we?" and Brianna tells me we're in a house staying with other children. She reminds me that my mom never told me why or for how long, but we can ask her when she visits on Sunday. I take in the information and look around. There are four other beds in this room with me. Three have my friends, Natalia, Jaime, and Frankie, and the other is Brianna's. Having my friends as my roommates makes this strange house more tolerable. Frankie asks me if I want to join him and Natalia watching our favorite movie, so I carefully sit up and make my way to Frankie's bed in front of the TV. A few minutes in, we hear footsteps coming towards the room. Jaime says, "Hurry, back to bed," and I turn off the movie and hobble back to my bed. Right as I close my eyes, a woman walks in and walks right up to my bed. She gently shakes me and I sit up again. She asks how I'm feeling and says something about roommates. I tell her I'm feeling great since I have my four friends as roommates. The woman shifts her weight between her feet and starts messing with the button on her blouse. Maybe she doesn't have many friends, so she's feeling sad. I decide not to ask her any questions
The girl sitting in front of me, waking me up is named Brianna. Brianna has the most beautiful tan skin and curly black hair, that highlights her green eyes so well. I think I love her, but I have a sense I can't touch her. I sit up and ask, "Where are we?" and Brianna tells me we're in a house staying with other children. She reminds me that my mom never told me why or for how long, but we can ask her when she visits on Sunday. I take in the information and look around. There are four other beds in this room with me. Three have my friends, Natalia, Jaime, and Frankie, and the other is Brianna's. Having my friends as my roommates makes this strange house more tolerable. Frankie asks me if I want to join him and Natalia watching our favorite movie, so I carefully sit up and make my way to Frankie's bed in front of the TV. A few minutes in, we hear footsteps coming towards the room. Jaime says, "Hurry, back to bed," and I turn off the movie and hobble back to my bed. Right as I close my eyes, a woman walks in and walks right up to my bed. She gently shakes me and I sit up again. She asks how I'm feeling and says something about roommates. I tell her I'm feeling great since I have my four friends as roommates. The woman shifts her weight between her feet and starts messing with the button on her blouse. Maybe she doesn't have many friends, so she's feeling sad. I decide not to ask her any questions
so I don't hurt her feelings and after a minute, she leaves the room. My friends jump back out of
bed and run over to me, all talking over each other with questions about the woman. I wait for
them to quiet down, and then I retell our interaction. After I finish, they all share concerned
glances, but I don't think much of it; I'm happy they're here.
All of a sudden, a cute little song begins playing from a speaker up at the corner of the ceiling. It ends and the same woman who visited my room announces that it's snack time. My friends start packing up their things and walk to the door. Realizing they're going to leave, I call, "Wait, guys! Where are you going?" Natalia giggles and tells me to come to snack time with them. I get up and we go out to the living area of the house. I grab my string cheese, gold fish, and capri sun and we grab a table with exactly five seats. My friends and I are laughing and talking, and I notice the children at the other tables are looking at us and whispering. They seem to be friends, but maybe they don't like our jokes. After snack time, my roommates and I head back to our room to finish our movie. After the movie, the same announcement song is played, and we're told it's time for bed. Today was a great Tuesday. I still don't understand why my friends and I have to stay here, but I'm ready for Sunday so I can tell my mom all about the fun we're having.
Each day, the routine is the same, which means for my room, each day is as fun as the last. It's finally Saturday evening, and when the announcement song is played, I yell with happiness, "Natalia! Brianna! Frankie! Jaime! When we wake up, it's parent day!" We get ready for bed and turn out the lights as fast as we can, but then the woman walks in again. She sits on
All of a sudden, a cute little song begins playing from a speaker up at the corner of the ceiling. It ends and the same woman who visited my room announces that it's snack time. My friends start packing up their things and walk to the door. Realizing they're going to leave, I call, "Wait, guys! Where are you going?" Natalia giggles and tells me to come to snack time with them. I get up and we go out to the living area of the house. I grab my string cheese, gold fish, and capri sun and we grab a table with exactly five seats. My friends and I are laughing and talking, and I notice the children at the other tables are looking at us and whispering. They seem to be friends, but maybe they don't like our jokes. After snack time, my roommates and I head back to our room to finish our movie. After the movie, the same announcement song is played, and we're told it's time for bed. Today was a great Tuesday. I still don't understand why my friends and I have to stay here, but I'm ready for Sunday so I can tell my mom all about the fun we're having.
Each day, the routine is the same, which means for my room, each day is as fun as the last. It's finally Saturday evening, and when the announcement song is played, I yell with happiness, "Natalia! Brianna! Frankie! Jaime! When we wake up, it's parent day!" We get ready for bed and turn out the lights as fast as we can, but then the woman walks in again. She sits on
the side of my bed, brushes a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear, then she looks at me. "Tyler,
you're a real joy to have in our house," she tells me, "but I have to ask you to promise me
something for tomorrow." The woman pauses until I nod and says, "When you're telling your
mother about your time here, you can't talk about your roommates." They're the best part of
being here, so I ask her why. She tells me that they're top secret. I promise to keep quiet, because
my best friends being top secret sounds pretty cool to me.
Parent day was a blast! I talked with my mom for the whole three hours. I talked about the movies I watched, the snacks I ate, and learning to braid in arts and crafts. My mom seemed relieved in some way, but I don't know what about though. Anyway, she also had stories to tell about my dad and learning to cook new dishes. I miss my dad, but he gets to come next Sunday. I hope that by the time they are both here, I will be allowed to talk about my secret roommates. At the end of the three hours, I said goodbye to my mom, but then the announcement woman comes into the room and my mom follows her into an office. I finished telling Brianna my story, and she seems upset. I tried to give her a hug, but she got up and got into her bed. I decided to go to bed too and ask Brianna if she's okay in the morning.
I sit up in a cold sweat from my dream. I get up to check on my friends, but they aren't in their beds. All of their stuff is gone too. I start running and throw open every door I see. Eventually, I get to the room of the announcement woman. She brings me in and sits me down. She puts her hands on my shoulders, and says, "Tyler, you realized something about your roommates didn't you?" I nod and look down. "They aren't real."
Parent day was a blast! I talked with my mom for the whole three hours. I talked about the movies I watched, the snacks I ate, and learning to braid in arts and crafts. My mom seemed relieved in some way, but I don't know what about though. Anyway, she also had stories to tell about my dad and learning to cook new dishes. I miss my dad, but he gets to come next Sunday. I hope that by the time they are both here, I will be allowed to talk about my secret roommates. At the end of the three hours, I said goodbye to my mom, but then the announcement woman comes into the room and my mom follows her into an office. I finished telling Brianna my story, and she seems upset. I tried to give her a hug, but she got up and got into her bed. I decided to go to bed too and ask Brianna if she's okay in the morning.
I sit up in a cold sweat from my dream. I get up to check on my friends, but they aren't in their beds. All of their stuff is gone too. I start running and throw open every door I see. Eventually, I get to the room of the announcement woman. She brings me in and sits me down. She puts her hands on my shoulders, and says, "Tyler, you realized something about your roommates didn't you?" I nod and look down. "They aren't real."
Family Friendly--Andrea
You step outside your house, get into your car, start driving, and look at the stores around
you, and you see at least one of the following: family sized, family deal, family pack, family friendly, but what is actually considered a family? According to merriam webster’s dictionary, family is the basic unit in society traditionally consisting of two parents and their children, but to many people this is not the case. From the day we are born we are told that our parents, and anyone else related by blood, are our ‘real’ family, but there are thousands of different kinds of families, ranging from nuclear families, extended families, single parent families, and even families composed of people that don’t share any ancestry. Family is not only defined by a bond of blood, but is defined by the love, trust and support that is exchanged between people. Family is made up of people who choose to spend time with each other because of their common goals or values, and because of their love for one another. In some cases, a person can feel like they’ve been stuck with a family that is toxic or harmful to them, leaving them to search for comfort in others. For many this comfort is found in friends who also share similar issues, interests, values, or anything else. This results into two families, the family a person was given and the family they chose themselves. According to a 2017 study conducted by Michigan State researchers, people with strong friendships were happier than people who relied on genetic family aone. It was concluded that, “Not all of us are born into the families we need. But we all have the ability
to make the friendships that we need.” For me, this is absolutely true, as my friends and I have
created our own family amongst ourselves over the past six years. Together, we have been
through the triumphs and tragedies of life and have undoubtedly leaned on one another for
support. We have even developed each others mannerisms like a real family would.
Aside from the love and support a ‘second family’ can provide, having two families can be very important when developing into your own individual. Being raised by your immediate family you learn the basic skills, manners, and values your family chooses to teach you, whereas in your ‘second family’ you can express your own values and opinions, whether they be different from what you had learned or not. For example, in my specific family dynamic, my brother and I were raised in a Latino household with two parents who enforce many rules and have many different beliefs. Because of this, I am very cautious in everything I do and say at home, in hopes to keep my parents pleased with the daughter they raised. On the other hand, when I am with my friends, or my second family, I have more freedom to express my true feelings and ideas with full support and no judgement.
Whether it be a traditional nuclear family, a family made up of non-blood relatives, or even two families, everyone needs a family to get through day to day life. The definition of a family is not constricted by the black and white of just parents and their children, but rather it is interpreted by the many different colors of people in ones life that love and support them.
Sources
“Family.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family.
Aside from the love and support a ‘second family’ can provide, having two families can be very important when developing into your own individual. Being raised by your immediate family you learn the basic skills, manners, and values your family chooses to teach you, whereas in your ‘second family’ you can express your own values and opinions, whether they be different from what you had learned or not. For example, in my specific family dynamic, my brother and I were raised in a Latino household with two parents who enforce many rules and have many different beliefs. Because of this, I am very cautious in everything I do and say at home, in hopes to keep my parents pleased with the daughter they raised. On the other hand, when I am with my friends, or my second family, I have more freedom to express my true feelings and ideas with full support and no judgement.
Whether it be a traditional nuclear family, a family made up of non-blood relatives, or even two families, everyone needs a family to get through day to day life. The definition of a family is not constricted by the black and white of just parents and their children, but rather it is interpreted by the many different colors of people in ones life that love and support them.
Sources
“Family.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family.
Voa. “Are Friends Better Than Family for Your Health?” VOA, VOA - Voice of America
English News, 24 July 2017,
learningenglish.voanews.com/a/health-lifestyle-friends-or-family/3952739.html.
Christmas at Teddy’s--Melanie
Every day, the nine-year-old boy, Teddy, met up with his two best friends, Ryan and
Clarissa, and his sister, Amy, to walk home from school. Each day, the cacophony echoing in the school hallways made it difficult for Teddy to focus. The students’ laughters were deafening. The sound of backpacks zipping and unzipping were blaring. Today was his Christmas party with his friends. At least, that is what he thought it was.
Teddy exitted the hallways and began walking toward the spot his friends typically meet. He continued in his tracks as he passed that spot and as his friends followed. Ten minutes pass. He entered his home, and his friends followed inside. Teddy’s friends waited patiently downstairs while Teddy and Amy prepared their gifts for “Secret Santa.” The laughter downstairs after Amy returned to their friends sparked an immense excitement within Teddy. He remembered that he sent out his Christmas Wish list only two weeks before. The only thing on it included a set of Legos that revolved around Star Wars and the spaceships. He knew that this Christmas party would be the highlight of his year.
Teddy entered his bedroom. The sunlight beamed through the blinds of the windows. He scanned his bedroom. There. He hovered over the gift as he read the note placed next to it: “Teddy, Doctor’s appointment at 9am tomorrow. Love you! - Mom.” He set the note on his desk.
He snatched the gift on his bed. It was wrapped in Santa Claus wrapping paper. He proceeded
downstairs to begin the exchange.
The children sat in a deformed circle in Teddy’s living room on the wooden floor with their gifts sitting in front of them, ready to be unwrapped. Amy was the first to begin the actual exchange of Secret Santa gifts, handing her gift, wrapped in Santa Claus wrapping paper, to Ryan; Ryan then handed his Star-Wars-wrapped gift to Teddy; Teddy then handed his gift to Clarissa; and Clarissa finished the gift exchange by handing her Disney-wrapped gift to Amy. Ryan received a new game-set of “Battleship;” Teddy received a set of Legos to build another spaceship for his Star Wars collection; Clarissa received 30 packaged scrunchies; and Amy received a stuffed Minnie Mouse along with a holiday card from Clarissa. For the rest of the time, the children sat in that deformed circle, incredibly mesmerized by the gift each of them received. Their gifts brought up past memories, and they began sharing old stories of past Christmases, until the short hand reached nine.
The clock strikes nine. The light in the room goes dim. The children go silent. The room goes silent. Everyone remains still. He does not even hear Amy breathing. Teddy breathes quietly and slowly. He reaches his arms out in front of him. Wait. Where did they go? His precious Legos seemed to disappear out of thin air. He looks down to the floor in front of him. The Legos were nowhere in sight. His eyes widened in disbelief. Teddy looks up again. His friends were not in the room with him. A wave of darkness rapidly washes over the room. He buries his head into his hands, waiting for the lights to turn on. Teddy sat alone in the darkness.
Thirty minutes pass. The garage opens. The lights illuminate once again. Teddy looks up. The gifts his friends received sat right in front of him. His friends were nowhere in sight. The
The children sat in a deformed circle in Teddy’s living room on the wooden floor with their gifts sitting in front of them, ready to be unwrapped. Amy was the first to begin the actual exchange of Secret Santa gifts, handing her gift, wrapped in Santa Claus wrapping paper, to Ryan; Ryan then handed his Star-Wars-wrapped gift to Teddy; Teddy then handed his gift to Clarissa; and Clarissa finished the gift exchange by handing her Disney-wrapped gift to Amy. Ryan received a new game-set of “Battleship;” Teddy received a set of Legos to build another spaceship for his Star Wars collection; Clarissa received 30 packaged scrunchies; and Amy received a stuffed Minnie Mouse along with a holiday card from Clarissa. For the rest of the time, the children sat in that deformed circle, incredibly mesmerized by the gift each of them received. Their gifts brought up past memories, and they began sharing old stories of past Christmases, until the short hand reached nine.
The clock strikes nine. The light in the room goes dim. The children go silent. The room goes silent. Everyone remains still. He does not even hear Amy breathing. Teddy breathes quietly and slowly. He reaches his arms out in front of him. Wait. Where did they go? His precious Legos seemed to disappear out of thin air. He looks down to the floor in front of him. The Legos were nowhere in sight. His eyes widened in disbelief. Teddy looks up again. His friends were not in the room with him. A wave of darkness rapidly washes over the room. He buries his head into his hands, waiting for the lights to turn on. Teddy sat alone in the darkness.
Thirty minutes pass. The garage opens. The lights illuminate once again. Teddy looks up. The gifts his friends received sat right in front of him. His friends were nowhere in sight. The
door to the garage unlocks. Teddy remains still as the door creaks open. The sound of heels click
on the floor with every step. Teddy looks behind him to find that his mom was home.
“You opened all your presents?!,” she exclaimed. “You were supposed to wait until Christmas morning!” Teddy looks at the Christmas tree that suddenly appeared in his living room. His eyes return to looking at his mom.
“Well, you have to be awake early tomorrow for your doctor’s appointment,” she demanded. “I’m almost positive you don’t have schizophrenia, but we’ll see what the professionals say.” Teddy finally remembers: he was always an only child.
“You opened all your presents?!,” she exclaimed. “You were supposed to wait until Christmas morning!” Teddy looks at the Christmas tree that suddenly appeared in his living room. His eyes return to looking at his mom.
“Well, you have to be awake early tomorrow for your doctor’s appointment,” she demanded. “I’m almost positive you don’t have schizophrenia, but we’ll see what the professionals say.” Teddy finally remembers: he was always an only child.
Ball Game--Tim
Two minutes left in regulation. We’re up by eight, feeling as if we had won the game. We
started to relax on defense. They take advantage of it. The made a layup. Up by six with one
minute and forty-five seconds left. I bring the ball up the court. I pass to a teammate. Turnover.
They score again. Up by four with a minute and thirty-seven seconds left. I bring the ball up the
court again. I pass to a teammate. Then I set a screen. I cut to the basket. They pass the ball to
me. I pass out to the corner to a teammate. They shoot the a wide-open three. Missed the shot.
The opposing team gets the rebound and runs down the court. The opposing team makes a
three-pointer.
A minute and twenty-five seconds left. The opponent plays full court defense on us. Another turnover. Another made layup by the opposing team. A minute and twenty seconds left in the game. Down by one. I quickly bring the ball up the court. I pass the ball and my teammate sets a screen for me. I get the ball back. I’m wide-open for three. I take the shot. The ball looks good and well on its way to the hoop. The ball hits the rim. Opposing team gets the rebound. They call a timeout with a minute left. How did I miss that wide-open shot? I’ve practiced that type of shot countless of times. Why did I miss that shot now? Why do these kinds of things happen?
A minute and twenty-five seconds left. The opponent plays full court defense on us. Another turnover. Another made layup by the opposing team. A minute and twenty seconds left in the game. Down by one. I quickly bring the ball up the court. I pass the ball and my teammate sets a screen for me. I get the ball back. I’m wide-open for three. I take the shot. The ball looks good and well on its way to the hoop. The ball hits the rim. Opposing team gets the rebound. They call a timeout with a minute left. How did I miss that wide-open shot? I’ve practiced that type of shot countless of times. Why did I miss that shot now? Why do these kinds of things happen?
As I walk to the bench with my head down, I thought the ball looked good when it was
released from my hands. It looked as if it was going straight down the net. Wishing that I could
get a second chance at another shot like that. They say that when the opportunity presents
themselves, people need to grab that opportunity and make it theirs. But sometimes there are
risks to take when an opportunity presents themselves. People may think that an opportunity as
big as it is may never come by again. So they take the chance without thinking about what to do
if they fail to accomplish their work.
They say that life is full of second chances. But everyone only has one life and sometimes will never get a second chance to redeem themselves on what they did. Sometimes people don’t even get a chance to show themselves. When people don’t get these chances, they can wonder if they are worth enough to even try at that point. People can get down on things like this happening to them. Not being able to capitalize on their chance, not receiving a chance, or not given a second chance at something can demoralizes a person.
In general, humans take these experiences and tell themselves that they aren’t cut out for these types of things. They allow the fact that things didn’t come out the way that they wanted to affect the way the feel and think. They don’t want to take the experience and learn from it. They allow doubt and fear to slowly dominate their choices. They soon begin to second guess themselves. They soon look at themselves and wonder if they are really enough or worth enough to try again.
Instead of allowing these experiences to demoralize humans, take these experiences to look at what to improve on. Use these experiences as motivation to bring back the confidence to say that “I will get my chance again.” This is how the great ones came to be. Kobe Bryant
They say that life is full of second chances. But everyone only has one life and sometimes will never get a second chance to redeem themselves on what they did. Sometimes people don’t even get a chance to show themselves. When people don’t get these chances, they can wonder if they are worth enough to even try at that point. People can get down on things like this happening to them. Not being able to capitalize on their chance, not receiving a chance, or not given a second chance at something can demoralizes a person.
In general, humans take these experiences and tell themselves that they aren’t cut out for these types of things. They allow the fact that things didn’t come out the way that they wanted to affect the way the feel and think. They don’t want to take the experience and learn from it. They allow doubt and fear to slowly dominate their choices. They soon begin to second guess themselves. They soon look at themselves and wonder if they are really enough or worth enough to try again.
Instead of allowing these experiences to demoralize humans, take these experiences to look at what to improve on. Use these experiences as motivation to bring back the confidence to say that “I will get my chance again.” This is how the great ones came to be. Kobe Bryant
missed so many important shots to win a game early in his career. People talked about how he
shouldn’t have taken those shots or they say how he isn’t clutch enough. But Kobe uses those
words and his experience to become better. That’s how he became as great as he is today.
Although Kobe is so great, even he sometimes misses.
Walking back onto the court, it felt as if a fire had started in myself. The opponent passes the ball to their teammate that decides to shoot the ball with me as the defender. I block their shot. Pick up the ball and ran with it. Fifty-five seconds left. I stop and shoot a three. The ball went straight through the net. The opposing team brings the ball up the court. Forty-six seconds left. They drive and made a layup to tie the game.
Tied with twenty-six seconds left, I bring the ball up the court. My teammate sets a screen. A bigger and slower opponent switches onto me. I see the mismatch. Fifteen seconds left on the clock. I go between the legs once then twice. Thirteen seconds left. Crossover. Twelve seconds left. Behind-the-back. Ten seconds left. Step-back behind the arc, gaining some space. Nine seconds left. Puts up a three. The ball spins slowly in the air, forming a rainbow heading straight down the hoop. The ball finds itself on the bottom of the net with five seconds left in the game. The opposing team didn't have any timeouts remaining. They get the ball in and puts up a heavily contested three. They miss. Ball game. Chances like these don’t come often. But when they do, try to make them count. When you miss, just remember, we can’t make them all every time.
Walking back onto the court, it felt as if a fire had started in myself. The opponent passes the ball to their teammate that decides to shoot the ball with me as the defender. I block their shot. Pick up the ball and ran with it. Fifty-five seconds left. I stop and shoot a three. The ball went straight through the net. The opposing team brings the ball up the court. Forty-six seconds left. They drive and made a layup to tie the game.
Tied with twenty-six seconds left, I bring the ball up the court. My teammate sets a screen. A bigger and slower opponent switches onto me. I see the mismatch. Fifteen seconds left on the clock. I go between the legs once then twice. Thirteen seconds left. Crossover. Twelve seconds left. Behind-the-back. Ten seconds left. Step-back behind the arc, gaining some space. Nine seconds left. Puts up a three. The ball spins slowly in the air, forming a rainbow heading straight down the hoop. The ball finds itself on the bottom of the net with five seconds left in the game. The opposing team didn't have any timeouts remaining. They get the ball in and puts up a heavily contested three. They miss. Ball game. Chances like these don’t come often. But when they do, try to make them count. When you miss, just remember, we can’t make them all every time.
Losing Someone to Suicide--Saidy
It was the morning of November 16, I woke up to a message from my good friend
Julia informing me that Jonny commited suicide. I was in denial. My mind was spinning with the news and I asked her if she was sure it’s true. Eventually I started getting spammed from all my old friends asking if I heard what happened and if I was okay. I dropped to my knees crying and screaming wishing it was some sick joke they were playing on me. It was so sudden, I found myself in denial. I prayed for him to text me saying he’s okay or to show up at my door, anything. At the time this just couldn’t be real to me. Jonny couldn’t have just taken his own life like this without saying goodbye. The same day I went to his memorial and still, I was in denial. His mom and I held each other crying over him for what seemed like hours and that’s when I realized this was real. He’s gone.
I then became filled with rage. I was so angry at the people who caused him so much pain that he felt the need to take his life. The people who helped him go down a path he wasn’t proud of. Angry at my parents for taking my phone that night when he was practically crying for help. The one damn time I wasn’t there to check up on him. I hate that it takes losing him to suicide to finally stop hurting myself and attempting suicide myself. It was so frustrating to hear people talk about him as if he’s just another number to the list of suicides. The audacity people have to ask me how he took his life and why he did it. Why does it matter? Why do you need to know? All I know is that my dearest friend took his life and felt alone, felt like his life meant nothing with no purpose.
For a few weeks I stayed stuck in my room holding a drawing he asked me to do of him back in middle school. My chest always felt like it was going to burst. What I would do just to see him smile one more time. I wasn’t talking as much, wouldn’t eat and stopped caring about most things. I didn’t bother telling most people because I didn’t want to relive the moment of losing him. I miss him so much. I have so many emotions unraveling, yet feel numb at the same time. Every single moment I had with him kept running through my mind as if it just happened yesterday. I turned into a mess. Currently still a mess but at least I’m slowly picking myself up together.
After all this pain, denial, anger and depression I finally found some acceptance. He may be gone but he will always hold a place in my heart. I’m so grateful to have so many memories with him. All the late night calls, the flowers he’d leave at my door as an apology for upsetting me, or his annoying random spams at 3am to wake me up, ect. He helped me realize how precious life. It’s important to keep your loved ones close because you never know when you will lose them. I choose to talk about this because I feel like people don’t realize how much people are hurting. Please check up on your friends and family, make sure they’re okay if you can. I love you so much Jonny more than you will ever know, I hope you finally find peace you deserve it after everything you had to go through. I’ll never forget everything you’ve done for me and our friends. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you.
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