I couldn’t wait for summer. Then I found out that my mom and grandparents had planned a thirty-seven day trip to the western states. My excitement escaped me. After I heard the bad news, I heard the worst. I learned that we would live in the camper for one month, one week, and two days […]
There is a patchwork-clad homeless woman that lives outside the Newkirk Plaza subway station, and every time I pass her sitting on her cold cement curb it rips my heart right out. This woman has haunted my thoughts throughout my childhood. I have always kept her at the periphery of my mind; in a way […]
My niece Nevaeh is the most important person in my life. She brightens my day when it’s at it’s worst. She also knows how to put a smile on my face. Nevaeh I was the last one to find out. it was a sunday night and Isaac (my sister’s husband) and his parents came over […]
It’s a bright sunny day in the middle of August. Rolling hills and green grass surrounds you as you breathe in the fresh country air. Cows silently chew their cud while someone in the distance yells to herd them in the pasture. A tractor is rambling on bailing hay as it prepares for the next […]
My father wouldn’t be considered your traditional good influence. As an able-bodied unemployed middle-aged man with substance abuse issues, he would not be regarded as inspiring by most people. We may not have the best relationship, but I can honestly say that he has had a positive impact on my life and has indirectly taught […]
I sat in my mom’s closet, gripping the letter that had so quickly snuffed out any hope of my attending the most prestigious private school in our county. Moments earlier, my parents had handed me the letter, gingerly delivering the blow that I could not attend because I had not performed well enough on the […]
I saw him approaching — walking awkwardly with his usual dole expression. Coach had just told us to find a partner for the upcoming doubles tournament. For a split second, I looked around for one of my friends who would assure me a competitive edge in the games. Rudyard Kipling once said, “I always prefer […]
During my 3rd grade year, my parents divorced each other. Me, my mom, and my little brother moved to a new house across town, which meant I had to switch schools. I did not want to be bullied and I tried for the longest time to get my mom to say I could stay at […]
Each night, a harmony of chirping crickets and croaking frogs put us to sleep. Each morning, we were greeted by the sounds of chipmunks playing and the melodies of chickadees. However, the fourth morning was different. The birds were silenced and the chipmunks were dormant. We continued our routine without observing the clandestine warning of […]
If there is one thing I have never been great at is learning another language. I’ve worked my hardest in school, but still had a problem. It was affecting my grade and frustrating me, but with help from math I was able to find a solution. Ever since fifth grade I have had trouble in […]