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Write about a child witnessing a major historical event.
Eleanor had grown up camping, but now at 15, she was sick to death of it. That was the ONLY kind of vacation her parents would take; camping! Never a plane/train/boat...nothing out of this realm of a tent or trailer, and generally to property they owned, so you can't even say it was a way to see the world. No, they were stubborn in this matter, and frankly Eleanor was finding it time to be stubborn herself. The last trip was rain soaked, and for some reason, Eleanor's bags never made it into their hippie van, so she had no clean clothes on this trip in Washington state in 1980. Her parents, on this occasion, did not go to one of their properties, but chose something commercial closer to home in Vancouver; the only thing Eleanor could do was go for a walk in the rain, and read the headlines of the newspaper in the machine. They said something about a ?bulge' at the top of the crown, and steam coming out! That was in May, 1980, and Eleanor knew enough to get that it was a recipe for disaster to go near it again! She begged her parents that she could stay home, and work on her French recipes instead. After all, she was a good student, never in any trouble, and the idea of being wet with no place to plug in a hairdryer was more than she could bear. So, she stayed home that weekend in late May, while her parents and little brother seemed peaked by morbid curiosity to head to Mount Saint Helens rather than stay away from it. That was a weekend that would change a lot of things for their region, and become marked in history for the world to come to know?
That prior weekend, having only had her bright yellow ski jacket and pants, the jeans and sweater she had embroidered underneath, and the bright orange stocking cap to keep warm, had started a shift in Evelyn. She vowed that as an adult, she wouldn't subjugate herself and her children to ?only' camping. Sure, it had its merits, and she was sure when she had children she would take them to some of her favourite haunts when she grew up [and she did], but she wanted to see more of the world beyond just the Pacific NW. One time, as a family discussion, they asked where she wanted to go, and she said an island, someplace warm. Her mother lied her way about it being anything ?different'. When Eleanor asked if it was a place with a beach, she said yes. Figuring the camping places had beaches, she asked if she it was the kind of place one could wear a bikini [not bundles of layers], and she said yes. Not convinced, she asked, does it have a resort or posh restaurants, and her mother said yes. Was it far away and some place she had not been before, and her mother said yes. Hoping it was Hawaii and packing her bags, they went...camping on Whidbey Island, a mere ferry ride from their property at Port Townsend, and camped. Not different at all...quite the same!
The news that week, although Eleanor wasn't interested in the news much, was all about seismic action on Mount St Helens. Apparently, there had been a shift and some earthquakes since March, but activity had died down a bit; which is not a good thing when it comes to volcanoes. In fact, Eleanor made that the theme or her paper she wrote in an honors class, adding cartoons suggesting the onlookers wanting to see such a car crash. She was good at writing; not so good at talking, but she could express an opinion via the written word. There were news pictures of puffs of what looked like steam escaping the mountain, and a lot of other scientific stuff she didn't care about. Rather than taking the heed by the warning to stay away from the mountain, her parents decided to go back to it. What is the saying; the sign of insanity is to do the same thing over and over and expect different results? Eleanor didn't know that phrase yet, but it would be one that she would learn in her lifetime and refer to when she was banging her head against the wall on life's highway. Right now, after being deceived about the ?dream vacation' and the clear and present danger as shown in the news [plus teenage vanity], Eleanor opted out, and vowed she would do things different when she grew up. It was a sudden shift, imperceptible by others, She did swear she felt her backbone tingle with a newfound strength; something that would serve her well later in life?
On that weekend in May, Eleanor treated herself by not having the news on. She turned on her parents old, giant wooden stereo, and out on some classical records for inspiration. They always soothed her in ballet class, she thought maybe they might make her a more sophisticated cook. She slept in past the roughly 8:30 mark of the actual explosion, so was oblivious to anything going on. She decided to make brunch, and work on her crepe recipe...for that, she had an album called Gaite' Parisienne to get her inspired for making fancy sauces. The kitchen faced the backyard, and when Eleanor absentmindedly licked a spoon to put in the sink late that morning, she saw something out of the corner of her eye in the window. Smoke? Her neighbors might be having a burning day; she used to play next door when she was little and knew where all the dads on her street kept their burn barrels. But this seemed different. It was a clear, sunny day, not unlike the rainy camping fiascos, and briefly she congratulated herself on her choice to play grown-up for the weekend...no wild parties, just peace and quiet. The sliding glass doors led off the dining room as the pets were entrusted to her this weekend and seemed to want to go out and see the commotion as well, so she slid open the door to step out into the large back garden. Slightly built and wearing one of the dresses she designed to feel more mature, she walked out into the middle of the yard, and looked to her left. Giant smoke was billowing from the mountain! The blue sky seemed to be changed in the distance, and moving closer. Indeed, for ages to come, she wouldn't have known then that all colour would drain from her world; even the roses that bloomed so lovely in June, were to be ashen gray. It was Sunday, her parents were due back so her dad could go to work and her brother to elementary school on Monday. She couldn't remember the name of the town or campsite they were going to, as it didn't interest her, and this was long before the days of Google. She just stood there; a child, for all her trying to be mature ways, transfixed at something she could not quite wrap her brain around, but she knew it was major and important.
Calmly, she went back in after what seemed an eternity of staring and finished making her brunch, just assuming her parents would be back by dinner time. Nothing ever interrupted dinner time in their house! It was their only religion. Sitting down, tensely, with her brother being a picky eater and sucking the air out of the room, and her parents invariably arguing about something, mealtime was ornate but not pleasant. They would be home soon, or so she thought. This was long before the days of cell phones, and as she didn't know the name of the place they were at or if they were on the road, she couldn't call them on the landline. She did know who her guardians were, as she insisted her parents Will be changed when her uncle was far too fresh with Eleanor when she was younger; something that would haunt her the rest of her life. But she knew if anything happened to her, the friends of the family were lovely people. She often stayed there, so she could study ballet at a professional school in Portland. She played nanny to their kids, and greatly admired the mother, who was well-traveled, beautiful artist and wore the latest fashions. The husband had a calm demeanor, and as a psychologist, had insight. No, she would be safe and fine if anything happened; it kept her eerily calm as dinnertime came and went, and no call or sign of her family?.
This covid-19 virus has invaded the world.I have graduated 8th grade online,and am taking online classes for my first year in highschool.It's hard for me and my classmates to interact knowing we can't meet now.Sitting for 8 hours in front of the screen is not a joke.It is devastating for not just me,but every kid in the world.The biggest of the biggest,and the richest of the richest has become quiet.There is isolation everywhere with fear that everything will end.The news is getting worst day by day.Some say it is the government to decrease population,while others are blaming China for creating it.Conspiracy theories are being made that the vaccine itself is danger.
For a moment,I sit down and realize that this world is temporary.We were all too quick to take advantages of the small blessings given to us from God.Having the right to go out without a mask,and playing with my friends.Eating dinner outside,and doing school in the building.We all used to complain,unaware of what destiny had in stock for us.We all moaned about to work or school.However,now we beg for our daily rights to come back.We need to be thankful,or mother nature knows it all.It will heal the world back,once the people are calm.The hatred and unpleasance fades away from people's hearts.
Nature will heal itself if people start being happy in the things they are blessed with.May god mercy us and forgive the careless people.Those who still are complaining about being inside.Be thankful that this is no violent war.It is just a quiet lockdown that has us all inside.Everything will be alright,if were in it together and all.
Sometimes,I wonder why this all happened.Was it for good,or bad for us?We forget to see things in the bright sideWe are so busy picking out the negatives.We are so busy being mad at everyone,we forget to be positive.It is funny how this word ''positive'' itself is scary to negative people.We need to relax and be thankful.Thankful to the government for supplying us with masks and sanitizers.Thankful to our parents for giving us food and shelter.Thankful to the rain for showering water that helps us survive.Thankful to the animals for giving us meet.Thankful to the technology for helping us contact others and giving us entertainment.If were not,everything will stay the same.
Slowly,as time passes,were all getting comfortable.Comfortable in our beds,in our houses,in limited space with limited people.Suddenly,if everything is fixed,we'll still complain.We like not having to work,because were being given the money from the government.Were enjoying online school bitterly,because we could lay down in our beds and eat.However,we forget the the best comes from places that don't have comfort.
Everyday seems the same.Seeing the same house,same walls,same tv,same couches,same blankets,same laptops,same i-pads,same rooms,and the same people.Hearing the same youtube and neflix,same people,same news,same birds.Doing the same online school,same talking,same walking,same sleeping,and same thinking.So,you see that there is no change,and everything is contantly happening.Why?Did ever think about it?No,we were looking for a causing,not mentioning our own selves.Our actions,and their affect on society.
Why is there so much negativity?Why are people losing hope?Why are we so quick to judge?Why are we getting comfortable.Why is this devastating for everyone in the world.Why is the biggest of the biggest,and the richest of the richest become quiet?Why are the people with power now powerless?Is there nothing we learned from this?We cannot control everything,but we can prevent it.How?Well,think about it.Just be thankful,nature will heal itself.Why did we complain?Why are we still complaining? The negative people are the ones who still are complaining ,and will continue to do so.However,a little goes a long way.Research shows happiness comes from being thankful,and giving.Even if your poor,anyone can give hope.Right or wrong?Think about it.Money is not always the cure.It can't fix the virus,the hatred.Only hope and trying can.So today let's promise to be thankful and give back to others.I repeat,just be thankful.Thankful to the government for supplying us with masks and sanitizers.Thankful to our parents for giving us food and shelter.Thankful to the rain for showering water that helps us survive.Thankful to the animals for giving us meet.Thankful to the technology for helping us contact others and giving us entertainment.If were not,everything will stay the same.
Why were we all too quick to take advantages of the small blessings given to us from God?Having the right to go out without a mask,and playing with my friends.Eating dinner outside,and doing school in the building.We all used to complain,unaware of what destiny had in stock for us.This virus is letting you know to taking a moment and adore the nature.As I've mentioned before,May god mercy us and forgive the careless people.Those who still are complaining about being inside.Be thankful that this is no violent war.It is just a quiet lockdown that has us all inside.Everything will be alright,if were in it together and all.Teamwork makes the dreamwork.The dream for a better world.I know we can do it,but we don't try.Why is there so much negativity?Why are people losing hope?Why are we so quick to judge?What if things do get better if we try?Isn't it worth a single try?We all moaned about to work or school.However,now we beg for our daily rights to come back.We need to be thankful,or mother nature knows it all.We were looking for a cause,not mentioning our own selves.Our actions,and their affect on society.The action of spreading messages of hope or despair.The action of complaining or thanking.The action of forgiving or never forgetting.The action of learning or giving up.The action of being mad or being happy.The action of yelling or smiling.It is all in our hands.Let's not give,this is not the time to.While there are vaccines now for COVID-19, there is no cure for the virus. Remember this is a virus transferred through air.We have to clean the air after cleaning our hands.Nature will heal itself if people start being happy in the things they are blessed with.May god mercy us and forgive the careless people.Those who still are complaining about being inside.Be thankful that this is no violent war.It is just a quiet lockdown that has us all inside.Everything will be alright,if were in it together and all.
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