Humbling - Mini Literary Analysis

Humbling. I would describe the novel Peace like a River as humbling. While reading the novel, I was humbled due to the fact that I was continually reminded of God’s love for me. Even though Enger was not a Christian, one can note many times throughout the text that he makes references of Christianity.

Throughout the entire novel of Peace like a River, one can only be humbled by the love that Jeremiah has for his children. Jeremiah continuously sacrifices so much so that his children could live. He gives and gives, never expecting anything in return. Does that remind you of anyone?

If you guessed God, then you get a high-five! Yes, our God is so giving! He is the creator of the heavens and the earth, the author of all eternity. Yet he gave his son so that you and I may have everlasting life. Isn’t that amazing? So humbling.

The word gift is defined as “something that is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation.” (dictionary.com) When Jeremiah Land gave up his life for Reuben that was a gift greater than most other gifts. Jeremiah saves his son’s life by giving him new lungs and freeing him from the restrictions that his asthma brought upon his life.  This kind of love seems incomprehensible. Through the death of Jeremiah, his son was renewed. Through the death of Jesus Christ, we can also be renewed.

As Jeremiah represented a Christ-figure within the novel, I was overwhelmed with the similarities between Jeremiah and Jesus. Enger reveals to the reader that unconditional love is in fact possible.  A famous quote that I once read is:

“How deep the Father's love for us,

How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.”

           Inspired by John 3:16, which says “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” the author of this quote was indeed humbled. This overwhelming love of God should break us of our prideful ways. We should be forever changed. But are we? Are we truly broken by God’s unconditional love? Reuben was forever changed because of his fathers love. The question is: ARE YOU?

gift. “Define Gift at Dictionary.com.” Dictionary.com | Free Online Dictionary for English Definitions. Web. 27 Apr. 2011. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gift>.

Scared of death?

Many people, including Christians, are afraid of death or afraid of dying. In fact, many people are consumed by the fear of death and dying. Is this what God wants us to worry about?

In the novel The Road, McCarthy writes about death and how “Nobody wants to be here and nobody wants to leave.” This fear is probably one of the most common fears in the world. As Christians, we are told not to worry about fears such as this, but most times our mind takes over. The father asks the old man “Do you wish you would die?” and he replies “No. But I wish I had died.” He goes on to say “when you’re alive you’ve always got that ahead of you”. This section on page 169 made me think about the common fear of dying and what I would do if I were the last person on earth.

            The bible tells us not to worry about or fear dying. God does not want anyone to be afraid of death or afraid of dying. “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" - 1 Corinthians 15:54-55.

We are told to trust God with everything. So why don’t we trust God with our fears? God knows our hearts and knows every piece of our minds. The bible also tells us that “If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” - Romans 10:9-10.

Over my last few blog posts I have been challenged with the thought of grief and death, which has been a fear I have struggled with.  As I have covered these topics, I have found that writing about them clarifies the idea and strengths my own heart and trust in the Lord. I hope it does the same for you. 

Coca-Cola

In class on Tuesday we discussed different objects mentioned within the novel and what they symbolized.  I thought it was interesting that such an insignificant, small, everyday item like a Coca-cola can could be of so much value.  As I reflected on the thoughts gathered in class, I expanded on and came across more reasons for the symbolism of the cola-cola.

            Okay, so here’s the scene, within the first section of the reading, the father pries a coca-cola free from a drink machine.  (This could possibly be the LAST can of coke in the world!) They sat looking at the can and the boy hadn’t a clue of what it was. The father told his son “It’s a treat. For you”.  As the young boy took the can and began drinking it, he thought it was unlike anything he had ever tasted. Could you imagine never having a coke before today? Imagine how sweet that would be?  The son then offers the coca-cola back to his father to enjoy also, but he tells his son “I want you to drink it.” This is evidence of the father’s self-sacrificing love for his son. This symbolizes God’s love for us as he gave everything for us!

When analyzing the coca-cola can within the text it was noted that the can could be a treasure. It is a token of value in their world and could quiet possibly be used as currency if necessary.  To expand on that idea, one can note that the can of Coke could also be like an artifact from a former civilization. This is evident when McCarthy writes,  “On the outskirts of the city they came to a supermarket… He sat and ran his hand around the works of the gutted machines and in the second one it closed over a cold metal cylinder. He withdrew it slowly and sat looking at a Coca-Cola.”(p.23) This section of writing in the novel heightens the importance of the coca-cola to the characters.

Furthermore, McCarthy may have used the coca-cola item to represent the deprivation of his characters. The father and son have gone years with nothing. McCarthy writes many times throughout the novel “There was nothing”. What a depressing state to live in. 

The Love of a Father

If there is one thing we are guaranteed in life, it is that at some point we will all experience death. Death is inescapable.  Yet the loss of a close friend or family member always showers us with an overwhelming amount of emotions.  In my college group at church this past Sunday we discussed the ways of grieving which, coincidentally, connects with my previous blog. There are three ways to grieve over a loss: (1) Intellectually, (2) Emotionally, and (3) Supernaturally (Spiritually). Whether a person grieves intellectually, emotionally, supernaturally or a combination of the three, it is important that we grieve. Grieving for a loved one helps us cope and heal. The intense, heart-breaking anguish indicates that a deep connection has been severed. Without a doubt, grieving is painful, but it is also necessary.

In the last chapters of the novel “Peace Like a River” I was confused and saddened by the death of Jeremiah Land. When Dr. Nickles says, “Your father should not have died, Reuben, Did you know that?” I began thinking back on the foreshadowing of this event.  On page 261 Jeremiah tells Rueben “I would take your place, son” as Rueben is suffering with asthma. I am in awe of the love Jeremiah has for his son. Jeremiah is seen as a Christ-like figure in this novel. This led me reflect and question: What kind of love is it that a father would lay down his life for his son?

This event is symbolic of the fact that God loves each one of us so much that he gave his son Jesus Christ so that we may have eternal life.  After all, God is Love. Do we as Christians show that same love towards others?

As I began reflecting more on Reuben, I noted that on page 299 it says that as he  “shut [his] eyes, the old morte settled its grip..”. The word morte means death in Portuguese. In the chapter “Be Jubilant, My Feet” Dad and Reuben found themselves looking at heaven from a distance. Jeremiah gave up his life for Reuben and as “the current got him” he drifted off with laugher and in song.  What a joyous moment that must have been!

Often times it is hard to deal with death without being angry or bitter at God and asking “Why God?”. I feel that this experience of viewing heaven from afar helped Rueben with acceptance and brought him joy to see that his dad was happy and with the Lord.  We may not be able to ‘view’ heaven, but I feel that prayer and God’s word can give us that same sense of peace by knowing our loved one is in a better place. This release can also help one move on within ones own life. Going forward doesn’t mean forgetting about the loved one who died. Enjoying life again doesn’t imply that the person is no longer missed. It simply means that your grief has run its course.

God’s word provides some uplifting words of encouragement for those whose loved ones passed away. The bible shows us that God’s view of death is much different than ours is. As Christians we should challenge ourselves to be up lifters also and to provide encouragement and comfort to others suffering with the loss of a loved one. Ask yourself: When you experience the loss of a loved one, do you rejoice and praise God for that person’s life? Or do you get angry and lose hope? Like I mentioned previously, grieving is good, it is a part of life, but what you reflect on and think about should be positive not condescending towards God. This is a challenge for me; I hope it helps you to reflect on your own actions as well. 

Greif

           The novel “Peace Like a River” by Leif Enger is a story of a young boy coming of age and the events and decisions he makes along the way that form his character. A part that stood out to me in the reading this week was when Swede and Rueben saw Mr. Finch by the Post Office. In this scene Enger uses many descriptive words and rhetorical questions to bring about emotion for the characters and the reader.

            The word “grief” is defined as a “keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss”. (Dictionary, 2011) Reuben describes Mr. Finch, Israel Finch’s father, and says, “He looked dead, is what I am telling you”  He goes on to describe him as “skinny” and frail. Mr. Finch was suffering from grief of a lost loved one, his son.

This is a shocking moment for Rueben and Swede in the book, which is used to bring the reader back to reality. Enger uses this moment to note that someone loved Israel, no matter what he had done.  The fact was that his father’s life was forever changed because of what Davy did.  Mr. Finch was experiencing great grief due to his sons death and months later Rueben and Swede noticed the difference of Mr. Finch.  The part that nipped at my heart was when Rueben questions “ Was it possible that real loss had occurred at the death of Isreal Finch? That real grief has been felt?”.  It was as though Reuben thought that Mr. Finch was heartless and did not care about his son (who also seemed heartless after trying to molest Davy’s girl and his sister). When I read this part, after the description of Mr. Finch, a sudden sadness overwhelms me. The fact that while reading the previous chapters the writing and the reader focuses on the bad that Isreal had done and how he is killed, but as the reader, we forget to think about the aftereffects of this situation. Until this part it had seemed as though everyone had forgotten about the boys. But not Mr. Finch. Neither Rueben.

This part of the story adds depth and reality to the chapter. It is an important piece in the book and i feel that Enger did a fantastic job of incorporating it and expanding on this idea of grief of a lost loved one.

Dictionary.com. Define Greif at Dictionary.com, 2011.http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/grief. March 30th 2011.

New Face by Alice Walker - Reflective Post

What is love? Love, for me, is the most wonderful word that has ever been “created”. So often it is thrown around and the true meaning is somehow lost along the way.  It is often twisted and deformed from a word with such passion and care to the storge meaning, which has little value. Most would agree that loving someone and being loved is one of the best feelings, but it can also be the worst when love is lost. When that happens, we feel as though we’re the loneliest person in the world with no one to turn to. Not even our family or best friends can help us deal with the pain of a break up. When going through hard times such as these, though absurd as it may seem, quotes and poems help me through.  I have come to realize that poems and quotes help us to understand that we are not alone and that there are other people out there experiencing the same pain of a broken heart. Knowing that others have gone through the same fate and survived gives us solace and strength to keep it together. Also in the same light, Poems and quotes are encouraging even when we are experiencing love.

Letting go is sometimes hard, but I’ve come to realize that “sometimes things just don’t work out with someone because there is some other person out there who is destined to be with us; who will love us just the way we want to.” It’s hard to believe, but God has someone for each one of us out there. There is someone just for me! Who will love all of my quirks and my silly ways. Who will treat me like a princess (I mean, come on? What girl doesn’t want to be Cinderella?) And who will love me for me!

The poem “New Face” by Alice Walker is now one of my new favorite poems. Its simple, yet deep concept gives the reader hope for love. The poem starts by saying, “I have learned not to worry about love; but to honor it’s coming”. This reminds me of 1 Corinthians 13:4 which says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” This verse shows the Christian style of love. God teaches us to appreciate love, but not to be controlled by it.

The person in the poem goes on to examine “the dark mysteries of the blood” which is a simile within the poem. Blood is red and the color red symbolizes passion. Therefore the poet is expressing that passionate love is mysterious. The poet also uses words such as “spring” to add a sense of continuity of water which continues into a motif that love is “flowing” like a spring. Ergo, God is our inexhaustible source of love and life.  One can note the fulcrum of the entire poem in the lines “the new face I turn up/ to you/ no one else on earth/ has ever/ seen”. When you’re in love, you will show that person a side (face) of you that no one else has ever seen. This is where everything is forever changed.

To conclude, The verse Song of Solomon 8:4 says “I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, Do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases.” This verse is a challege for me. God is telling us to listen and follow where He leads, to walk in his footsteps, not our own.  If we seek God, the rest will follow. When we seek and draw near to God, He works in us according to His good will and pleasure.  He is to be our first love and then all others follow.  “A woman should be so lost in God, that a man needs to seek Him in order to find her.” 

Reflective Post – The Love of a Mother - "Lanyard"

“You don’t know what it is to love until you have a child.” I have heard this saying so many times throughout my life and often questioned love and what it is to love someone.  Love is defined as "a strong, positive emotion of regard and affection." As I reflect on the poem “Lanyard” written by Billy Collins, I think of my loving mother. She is my best friend, and someone I know will always be there for me when I need help. She encourages me to be the best that I can be.  My mother has spent innumerable nights caring for me when I was sick and loves me even if I make mistakes. A mother is selfless, caring and loving.  She bared the pain of childbirth, she wants the best for her children and tries her best to give them everything they need. Yet because she loves so much, she expects nothing in return.

I remember the moments as a child when I would give my mother a picture I drew or a simple note I wrote for her with such pride and happiness.  She always responded with a smile and a hug that overflowed with love for me. To this day my mother has kept many of those drawing and notes that I had written her when I was young. My mother, just like most mothers, never expected anything in return for her love and kindness. When she receives small tokens of appreciation she feels as though she is loved and blessed far more than her children that she selflessly and continuously loves on and cares for. Maybe the saying is right, love possibly does reach to another level when it is because of selfless love.

            This idea of selfless love makes me think of Christ’s love for us. His mercy and grace is limitless love for the world. The most well-known verse in the bible, John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This love is unfathomable! There is nothing that we can do that will ever be ample to repay Him, but he loves us the same. After all, God is Love.  1 John 4:8 says “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love”. We should love one another as God loves us.

Therefore this means we should all love like mothers! <3

Harrison Bergeron - Problematize Post

In society today, we as humans are all controlled in some way or another whether we want to admit it or not.  Especially as teenagers, we allow our peers, authority figures and parents to take too much control over our lives. But, nevertheless we are all striving to be ‘unique’.  Someone once said “Be unique, everyone is doing it.” How ironic is that? Yet, it is so true. So often we judge others based on ‘norms’ of society. Harrison Bergeron represents the part of the American people that still longs to fit in, flaunt their attributes, and be better than their peers. Why is it that we feel that we will only be accepted if we strive to be like one another?

Harrison is described as seven feet tall, very strong, and extremely handsome. In the story the government does everything in its power to hinder Harrison, forcing him to wear huge earphones to distort his thinking, glasses to damage his sight and give him headaches and many other handicaps. But not even jail could stop Harrison. The part that shows his true freedom is when Harrison and his empress danced.

“And then, in an explosion of joy and grace, into the air they sprang.  Not only were the laws of the land abandoned, but the law of gravity and the laws of motion as well. They reeled, whirled, swiveled, flounced, capered, gamboled, and spun.  They leaped like deer on the moon.  The studio ceiling was thirty feet high, but each leap brought the dancers nearer to it.  It became their obvious intention to kiss the ceiling. They kissed it.  And then, neutraling gravity with love and pure will, they remained suspended in air inches below the ceiling, and they kissed each other for a long, long time.”

This was the closest Harrison got to ‘freedom’ from equality. He was able to leap and dance with love. 

This leads me to the question: How many times in our daily lives do we hold back from doing something at our fullest potential?  Are we allowing others to hinder our actions and thoughts? We are given the freedom to excel in so many ways throughout our lives but many times we are either embarrassed or even too lazy to reach to the top. The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:23 - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.’ What if we were joyful unto the Lord and used our many God-given talents and gifts to share with others? 

Creative Post - Suppose I tell you

The poetry group that I am in is focusing on the topic of 'Love and Tragedy'. This topic brought back so many memories of my Literature class in High school. In my senior year, we focused a lot on a Bahamian poet named Michael Pintard.  His collection of poems were published in a book called "Still Standing" which include poems about his love life, and his loss of love throughout his life. He is not grammatically correct most of the time which you may note, but this is the way Pintard includes the slang of the Bahamas into his writing.  I loved his style of writing, so much so, that I have his book at college now to look back on from time to time and to pull inspiration from. My favorite poem in his book is called "Suppose I tell you" and this poem uses the same repetition of the title but incorporates my own personal story into it.  I hope this touches you in some way.

Suppose I tell you

Suppose I tell you
that my heart has been yours,
since that breezy October evening,
when I gazed into your eyes,
and you into mine,
 I saw your soul,
 you saw mine,
You saw all my needs and my desires,
you saw your reflection,
but did you see us?

Suppose I tell you
that in that moment,
I saw my future,
I saw us,
growing old,
being happy, 
content with our life together,
and as we change,
our love never fades,
because I found you, 
and you found me,
but is this true love?

Suppose I tell you
that you give my life meaning,
there’s no distance too far,
for each day that passes,
is one day closer
 to the day we are together again,
but until that day we shall be patient,
for true love waits,
I will be waiting,
will you wait for me?

I hope that this encourages you to look into Michael Pintard's poetry and to possibly compare my poem this his and to note the contrast of our lives.  Maybe next year he will be included in the Love and Tragedy section of Introduction to Literature's Poetry Project. 

A Creative Response to "Harrison Bergeron"

Equality in a Dystopia

Equality of mind is,

A song of gunshots sounding,

Distracting my thoughts,

Unable to excel.

Equality of beauty is,

A hideous mask,

Preventing insecurities,

Robbing beauty and appreciation.

Equality of freedom is,

Ironically lost,

Causing more restrictions,

Leading to destruction.

Equality of strength is,

Identical talents,

Weights on my shoulders,

Normality unchanging.

         This poem shows the different aspects of ‘equality’ in the story Harrison Bergeron. It talks about the equality of knowledge, beauty, freedom, and strength in a dystopia. In the story Harrison Bergeron, the author Kurt Vonnegut uses acute changes in society to satirize America through the comparison of knowledge and power versus suppression and ignorance. Although this story was a harsh exaggeration; Vonnegut indirectly promotes uniqueness in humanity. He encourages the reader to appreciate the many differences in the world because if not, the world could be on a track to actual equality and a world without competition, goals, or flexibility.

Reflective Post - "A Work of Artifice"

          Growing up in the 21^st century, we’ve become so accustomed to the world shaping who we are that we often let others decide who we are instead of knowing for ourselves.  More often than not, the fact remains that women are shaped by the world’s standards of being inferior, weak, dependent and domestic.

        When reading the poem “A Work of Artifice” for the first time, I honestly did not understand the meaning of it or how it connected to the other readings.  In class on Tuesday, while discussing the poem, everything had finally been brought to light for me. Breaking the poem down, taking note of all of the symbolism, metaphors and allusions I found that the author of the poem wanted readers to reach in and find the reasons he used each of the words that were used in the poem.

         We can note the tone of the her poem right away in the title, "A Work of Artifice."  The word ‘Artifice’ directly links us to a deception to reach a wanted result.  The author, Marge Piercy uses the bonsai tree as a metaphor for women.  The “pot” represents the restriction of growth for the tree. If the tree had been planted in the ground, the roots would have grown to their full potential.  In line 5 it also mentions, “lightening” which ironically is a natural death in this piece of the poem. The poem then shifts in the 6^th line at “But a gardener” because the poet uses the word gardener as a nice word for what this person is being shaped by – The world.   

         In line 12 the word “nature” is an underestimation of the happenings and pressures of the world. The act of crooning is a ‘nice’ word defined as to hum or sing in a soft, low voice, especially in a sentimental manner. The use of this word represents the saying “if you hear it enough you will believe it”. That is so true. We take in all of the criticism of the world, and often think so little of our accomplishments or ourselves. Many times we lack so much self-confidence because of the world around us. This should not be so. In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 it says "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. Buy pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm But how can one keep warm alone? though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." God wants us to left each other up, not bring each other down. The gardener is representative of a culture product. 
 

         The next shift in the poem occurs in lines 17-19 “With living creatures / one must begin very early / to dwarf their growth" These three lines begin the actual dwarfing process.  Pruning its roots and branches confines a bonsai tree. In addition, a woman is dwarfed by being told from a young age to believe in her inferiority and by being denied equality to opportunities.  The poet uses four examples of ways in which women have been shaped to meet the ‘norm’.  Firstly, she uses the example of "bound feet" (line 20), which has its origin in ancient China.  Women of higher classes in particular had their feet bound, or broken, at a young age so they would appear dainty and feminine.  Secondly, the "crippled brain" (line 21), is an allusion to skull shaping practices and the view of women as naturally lacking in intelligence. Third, "the hair in curlers" (line 22) is another marker of conforming to the worlds standards. This clearly illustrates the restrictions placed upon woman to be "homebodies" and nothing else.  Fourthly, it is thought that the reference to “the hands you/love to touch” (lines 23-24) presents a modified view of women as sex objects.  Therefore, Piercy has pulled together four recurrent themes of subordination included in the stereotypical woman:  physical, intellectual, occupational, and sexual.

          Consider this: If we live by the world standards will we ever see ourselves the way God sees us? Our culture tells us all of the superficial things that mean nothing in God’s eyes.  God wants us to live wholly for him without restrictions. In Romans 12:2 it says “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Ordinary day

Written by: Cara Curry

Days come and go,

The years fly by.

Always in a rush to grow up,

But never in a rush to die.

Looking back on my life,

I don’t want to regret.

I’ll hold onto the simple times,

And the moments I’ll never forget.

An ordinary day is a treasure,

Unlike any other,

Most take them for granted,

Like a child and their mother.

On our journey through life,

We should live, learn and love,

We should hold our brothers near

And praise the creator up above.

A perfect tomorrow is mistaken,

It’s a never-ending quest,

Live your life today,

Always strive to do your best.

Be gentle and encouraging,

Only have kind words to say.

Everyday may not be good,

But there is good in everyday.

Days come and go,

The years fly by,

Always in a rush to grow up,

But never in a rush to die. 

Hills Like White Elephants Reflection

      “Hills Like White Elephants” written by Ernest Hemingway is about a young girl wrestling with the idea of abortion due to the pressures and influences of the man in the relationship. The phrase which stood out and was repeated frequently throughout the passage the hills looking like “white elephants.” Throughout the passage, one can see how as the young girl studies the white hills she begins to reflect and realize how unique her baby is. The young girl begins to reconsider the abortion. This allusion links the unborn child and the white elephant.   The man sees the operation as a simple medical procedure and and he tries his best to persuade her into it.  As she considers his point of view she looks at the dry countryside, which is barren,  symbolizing her body after the abortion. The couple continues arguing until the young girl say “Would you please please please please please please please please stop talking?”

      When looking further into the symbolism of the White Hills, one can imagine the hills metaphorically representing a pregnant woman’s womb.  The hills are located on the other side of the valley, which can only be seen from a distance. The reflection of the distant hills might indicate that the girl finds it a distressing choice between the dry country and the hills. The dry country with the man also represents an abortion and the hills signify pregnancy and therefore leaving the man. It is also evident that that the man never looks at the hills. He avoids the fact that the choice of abortion is a difficult one. Lastly,  the color white in this story symbolizes the unborn child’s innocence.

      This phrase adds depth to our reading by portraying the issue of abortion in a metaphorical way. Although the word “abortion” is not found within the story, Hemingway uses two literary elements to portray this – the setting and symbolism.

Machete. N/A. October 2, 2006. “Like White Elephants – Literary Analysis”. Monday January 17, 2011

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What will your life be known for?

What mark do you hope to make on the world? As I thought about this question, I reflected on two of the aspects of my life: my strengths and goals.

      I thought of all of my God-given strengths that I had become aware of last semester in my Christ, Culture and University class. Each student had taken the 'Strengths Quest' quiz online and learned in-depth about their strengths.  The quiz listed my top five strengths as Restorative, Developer, Harmony, Adaptability and Empathy. Combining these strengths creates a person who enjoys challenges, encourages others, avoids conflict, and is flexible and caring towards peers. I aim to leave a positive mark on the world.

      Another important aspect is my future goals. I came to college with the hope of pursuing an elementary education major because of the patience and passion I have for children. Over the past few months, God has molded and shaped me by closing doors and opening new ones.  This lead me to realize my passion for writing and analyzing. I aspire to either teach English or become an editor someday and enjoy my work while impacting others.

     Which brings me back to the question, what mark do you hope to make on the world? I hope to impact the world with my compassionate disposition.  I want to be remembered for my listening skills, and hopefully one who cares about others more than herself.   I dream of impacting lives by teaching and sharing new information. I seek to be an encouragement where others can see God through my life. But mostly, I want to be remembered for always being happy, positive and thankful for all of the blessings in my life.