Works Cited for Analytical Essay:
Klay, Phil. "After War, a Failure of the Imagination." The New York Times. The New York Times, 8 Feb. 2014. Web. 9 Jan. 2015.
Brien, Tim. The Things They Carried: A Work of Fiction. New York: Broadway, 1998. Print.
"Leadership University." Leadership University. Web. 13 Jan. 2015.
Narrative Essay:
“Remember Kadija, I will always be with you. Just remember these words, Always believe in yourself and when you don`t think you can do it, just imagine me there with you.” said my grandfather, laying in the hospital bed.
I hated seeing my hero like this. My grandfather had been diagnosed with lung cancer and was very ill. He had been in the hospital now for about 2 months in and out. I loved him so much. I didn`t know why God did this to such a great man.
The walls were this yucky white color, not the clean holy white color, but the nasty kind that made you feel even worse. The nurses had to make sure to be very careful, because the medicine had made him very frail and weak.
As he told me that, I could see that he really meant it, that he wanted me to succeed and not to let myself go because he was no longer physically here. He will still always be in my heart, because I love him.
“I love you grandpa, you will always be in my heart.”
Those were the last words that I said to him before he died. He died 2 years ago, and I am now in high school. I miss him everyday, but I still can see him sitting on that same chair on the patio every morning. This is when I really started to use my imagination. It made me feel more at ease, to know that my grandfather would always be with me.
“Girl, go get the shoes that I just put down over there.” my mom said as she put her purse down at the cashier.
My grandfather`s death really hurt my mom the most, going off of the fact that he is her father. I could tell she wanted to be strong for my brother and I, but sometimes at night I could hear her crying softly. She had told us that he would always be here and that he would never be lost.
“ These or the blue ones.”
“The blue ones, I don't wear that kind of stuff, you know that.” mom said angrily.
I'd imagined she'd say that, but I just wanted to make a joke. I quickly grabbed the blue ones and ran back to the cashier. My mom took out her coupons as she always had. Which reminded me so much of my grandfather, because he was cheap also.
When we got home there was so much stuff on the floor from our yorkie, Fendi. She was so playful and energetic, sometimes even too much sometimes. She had ripped all the paper towels up and messed her food basket all over the floor. I know it was my responsibility to clean after her, so I didn't even fuss. My imagination had come into play when I cleaned. I hated cleaning, but if I'd imagined doing something else, cleaning wouldn't be so bad. When I would sweep, I'd imagine that it was a big tornado and I had to get the little dust ghosts off the floor or they would try and attack me, and I didn't want that. Sooner or later, I would be finished cleaning, so imagining things like that made it easier for me.
When it really helped to use my imagination is when I was getting ready to perform in my ballet group. I was now in 10th grade and I had been in this dance group called Eye Candy Chicks. It was super fun and I got to do what I loved, dance. We had our first real dance show in November of 2013. I had never performed for more than 300 people before. I was panicking and didn`t know if I could do it.
“Ok, your group is next.” said the stage coordinator.
Everything was happening so fast. I looked out on stage from the back and saw how big the crowd was. Everybody was cheering for the people who were performing. They were doing great, I was just wondering if I would be able to be as great. I looked up and closed my eyes. Someone who I loved so much came into my mind, it was my grandfather.
“Hey baby girl, you scared, aren't you?”
It was like he was standing right here with me. He knew exactly how I was feeling.
“Grandpa, is that you?” I asked
“Yes, it`s me, granddad. Something told me that you needed a little advice before your big day.”
“Oh, grandpa, I miss you everyday. I know I could count on you, when I needed you.”
“Yes, baby. What did I say to you when we were at the hospital. Tha-”
“That you would always be in my heart. How could I forget that, and you are always in my heart.”
“Yes, I am, but what else did I say?”
“You said, you said to always believe in myself and never to give up on myself.”
“That`s right pumpkin. Never, never stop believing in yourself. Now go out there and make us proud!”
“Alright, you guys are on in 1 minute.” said the stage coordinator.
I opened my eyes and felt more determined than ever. I looked around at my team and said a little prayer. We held hands and told each other that we believed in one another. My imagination was something that I knew I would always be thankful for. It helped me in so many ways.
“I love you grandpa.” I whispered to myself as we walked on stage.
That night we went out to celebrate. I had finally overcome that fear that I had. Thanks to my grandad, we made first place in our division. Everyone was so proud, just like how my grandad wanted. I could imagine a world where nothing could go wrong, and for the first time, I felt like I was living in it.
“I`m so proud of you sweetheart,” my mom said, as she hugged and kissed on me.
“I talked to grandpa before I went on stage. I was scared, but grandpa talked to me before I went on stage.” I said holding her hand
“Oh, honey. I'm so glad. I`m very happy. You know we all miss and love your grandad.” she said.
She had a little tear in her eye and I know how much she missed grandad. She never really talked to me about him, I guess that was just her way of grieving and coping.
“I know mom, but he`s always going to be right here.” I said as I pointed to her heart and smiled.
I am now enrolled in college at Oklahoma City University of American Dance and Arts Management. I absolutely loved it there. I majored in ballet. The story of my first time performing has followed me this far. I know perform in concerts and I am planning on having my own studio to teach girls that may not be as privileged. I always think of my grandfather and still does all my family. He will be missed, but never forgotten and never gone.