A Lesson Learned from Chapstick
In today's society, many people believe we live in a "perfect little world": people are fed, have a place to live, and necessities are guaranteed. Our fairytale thoughts won't allow us believe that there are people rummaging through garbage cans looking for food scraps; that the homeless do live in beat-up cardboard boxes holding signs saying, "will work for food"; and our needs are not always fulfilled. What if everyday items, such as a telephone, toothpaste, soap, a car, would suddenly vanish from one's ownership? The possessions we call necessities make up what others call luxuries, especially to those in McDowell County. Each summer our youth group raises money for twenty members to restore the damaged houses of McDowell County, located in southern West Virginia. Since a flood hit just months before our trip, we had almost three times as many houses to repair than last year. With our supplies packed in the rented Uhaul, truck and van, we began our eight-hour trip down to McDowell. At first, the concept of leaving behind our TVs, computers, waterbeds, and driving privileges is difficult, but then
"Such an odd request. Surely he can afford chapstick," I thought. Out of everything our Mission Team had laying around - food, hammers, tape measures, lining chalk, bandanas, disposable cameras - he wanted the chapstick! My thought disappeared as I glanced around the small town. Litter covered the yards like a multicolored quilt. The rib cages of the dogs and cats poked out from their fur. Abandoned houses had shattered windows with weeds climbing up the sides. Now I could see why something so small brought a smile to his face. At that moment, I thought of all the times I threw temper-tantrums, because I wasn't allowed to get the Nike shoes I wanted for volleyball, or the ruby necklace to match my prom dress, or my own car. How could someone so young teach me such an important lesson? Before this year's Mission Trip, I took a lot of things for granted - especially the everyday items that no one pays attention to. Now, since the Mission Trip, I appreciate the clothes I have, the shelter over my head, and the food that keeps my body nourished. Besides, when it comes to chapstick, I'm like girls going to the bathroom - I never have just
Some common words found in the essay are:
Erik Instead, Mission Team, Learned Chapstick, West Virginia, Mission Trip, Erik African-American, McDowell County, West Virginian, cotton candy, mcdowell county, mission trip, mission team, everyday items, southern west,
Approximate Word count = 777
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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