Like the waves
I was born high on a mountaintop, so close to the sky the clouds seemed to be near enough to touch. As a child, my knees were covered with the red earth, my face scratched by the tree branches, and my hands covered with the yellow pollen of wildflowers. In the days, I would climb up the sturdy pine trees, as high as I could go, and let the warm afternoon sun bake my face and shoulders. At night I sat cross-legged on the front porch praying for a lightening storm, thunder clapped in the distance and the brilliant light filled the night sky. In those days, Zeus seemed in constant rage, and the lightening was never ending. I was not scared of the violence of the storms. Instead, I was filled with excitement and awe. My family home sat on five acres between the river and the mountain. Often my family made trips to the river. My brother and I would jump in the crisp cool water and swim for hours. The smell of hot dogs my dad was grilling filled the air. My mother sat quietly by the bank reading a book, all the time keeping a watchful eye on my brother and I. The river, which wasn't really a river at all but a creek, was a constant in my childhood. I would walk for miles on the banks or glide skipping rocks ac
"No, Dad. I promise to be good." I managed to choke out as the hot tears welled up in my eyes. My dad did not respond, but the car continued on its route. I first learned of the ocean from my first grade teacher Mrs. Sweet. Mrs. Sweet was teaching the class about natural ecosystems. I puzzled over exactly what an ecosystem was. It almost sounded like one of the company's my dad frivolously invested his money into, hoping for a good return. I closed my eyes and pictured the sea in a plastic bottle. Mrs. Sweet explained that the sea was a habitat for hundreds of animals. She talked about a magical world filled with dolphins, jellyfish, and small plants called plankton. She said that the sea went on for miles. In some places you couldn't touch the bottom. Not even by holding your breath and diving. I was enthralled. My imagination ran wild with each new detail, dolphins gliding gracefully over the surface, mermaids playing in the waves, sharks hungrily searching for food. I could not wait to see this enchanted place for myself. My mom chuckled, "That's not the sky silly. That is the ocean." I watched as the ocean swayed back and forth, moving to the beat of a distant drum. It was not how I had imagined, but it was strikingly beautiful. My soul is filled with the sights and sounds of that day. Every time I travel to the ocean I remember what it was like the first time, the small child sitting on the beach listening and watching the waves graze the sand. I have been back to the ocean countless times and each time I am filled with awe and wonder. There is so much to learn from the ocean and I know I will never learn it all. Through my many trips to the ocean I have learned a great deal. My soul has become like the waves, moving against the shore of life. My family piled into our blue Honda station wagon, dad driving, mom in the passenger seat and my brother and I in the back. The drive, long though it was, sped by. I barely noticed as the trees began to thin and the mountains faded in the distance. All I could think about was seeing the crystal clear water, jumping dolphins, and mermaids playing. Then, as if by magic, the hills seemed to part. A puzzling smell, like a mixture of salt and grass, clinged to my nose. I looked at the sky, which had grown to a massive size, and noticed
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1555
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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