My Own Adventure
This is a picture book I wrote for one of my classes...
My Own Adventure
When I was little, I traveled all over the world. I went to the bottom of the ocean, climbed Mount Everest, and even lived in a tree house with the Swiss Family Robinson... in my imagination of course.
How I loved to dream. There was always a special place in my heart for adventures in faraway places. I dreamed of them all day long, but never imagined I would go on a real adventure. To my surprise, the most amazing thing happened.
A group from my church was planning a trip to Africa. I was graduating high school that year, and wanted to go for my graduation present. The trip was dangerous. What would my mother say? I was nervous, but I worked up enough courage to ask her. With a lump in my throat I said, “Mama?” She expected me to flood her ears with my imaginative plans just like I had a thousand times before. “I want to go to Africa.” I was serious this time and she could tell.
Time seemed to stop while I waited for her response. I was prepared to fall on my knees and beg, but she opened her lips and said the last thing I expected to hear. “Even before you were born I knew you would do great things.” She seemed hesitant, but knew she had to let me go. She put on a smile and said, “Africa sure is far away!”
After months of waiting, the day to leave finally arrived. I was excited, sad, afraid, and joyful all at the same time. I was not sure what to expect, but ready for the adventure. I hugged my mom tighter than ever before and boarded the airplane. I was on my way!
When the plane finally landed in Africa, it seemed like a dream. “Am I really here?” I thought. When we walked out of the airport, we were met by a colorful, friendly group of African women. They were dressed in brightly colored skirts and head dresses. “Habari!” they said, as they warmly welcomed us in Swahili. From my very first experience, I could tell life was different here. The people looked different, sounded different, and even smelled different.
Everything was different. People were everywhere! Their cars were so crowded that people seemed to bulge out of the windows. There were stands on the side of the road where people sold things. Men rode bicycles with sacks piled ten feet high on the back. Women effortlessly walked down the street with a baby strapped to their back and a container balanced perfectly on their head. I had never seen anything like it.
I saw many new and exciting things. I saw how zebras were created to blend in perfectly with tall grass. And when the sun begins to fade, it is hard to distinguish between a giraffe and a tall tree. I saw the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen. Shades of red and orange streaked across the sky and then seemed to melt away with the sun.
I saw beauty in the least likely of places, too. I saw it in the eyes of a child orphaned by disease. I saw it in the face of a woman whose wrinkles marked wisdom from years of struggle. I saw it in hands that were made rough from work and toil, yet were still tender enough to rock a baby.
We ran a medical clinic on the side of a busy street. People walked for miles just to see the doctor. While people waited in line, I was able to listen to women tell their stories. They had been through incredible hardships. They were grateful to have someone come and help them. I saw and heard things I could not begin to explain.
My favorite part was playing with the children that came to the clinic. Even though I did not speak their language, they were just like every child I have ever met. They loved to laugh and always wanted to play. A little boy named Augustino came and stayed at the clinic every day. He was an orphan. He slept wherever he could find shelter and did not always know when he would eat next. I gave him my water and crackers every morning.
These people had nothing to call their own. They were sick and hungry. Even still, they found reasons to laugh and smile. My adventure taught me many life’s lessons. I think the most important lesson is: No matter how hard things seem, beauty and joy can be found if you look for it.
The time to leave came before I was ready. “I still have so much to learn, and what about Augustino?” I thought, “Who will take care of him?” It was time to go home though, so I sadly said my goodbyes. I came back to America and life was just as I had left it. I had changed though.
I missed my family while I was gone, and was glad to be with them again. I did my best to share with them all that I had seen, but became very discouraged. I realized that photographs and stories could never fully describe what I saw. The only way anyone could ever truly understand, is if they went on an adventure of their own.
3 comments:
Awww...gin, I love this!!!!!
Ok. That was a great story, but it made me very sad. I miss you!
I thought you might like this Gracer. and I miss you too Rachel. I will be home soon!!
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