400 Word Essay

I couldn’t wait to get my ears pierced for the first time. Symptoms include: irritation or infection. I showed off my diamond studs with the utmost poise. My stick straight blonde hair was neatly tucked behind my ears to show my kindergarten class what I had and what they didn’t.

My dog is happily chewing on a bone. Seven years old, I sneak up behind him and hug him. Viciously he snaps his head around and bites my lip. Blood spilling down my neck, I grab a Mickey Mouse rag and hold it to my chin. At the ER I get three stitches and two sticker for being a big, brave girl.

Eight years old, I’m holding hands with two other girls on a swing set with three swings. We start leaning back to plunge further into the air. Head to gravel. I go to the nurse and apply ice. My mom takes me to the doctor who tells me I’ve cracked my head open but will not need stitches. Thank goodness.

Age fifteen and I ask, “Dad, will I need to wear a jacket?” “You shouldn’t have to”. I step out on the deck anyway. Coming back in, I release my hold on the door before I have time to bring my right foot inside. The edge catches my ankle and digs a hole to the bone. Taken to the ER, I get two stitches and get to wear an ankle wrap. Out of gym for a couple days.

Fifteen and a half. My mom sits my older sister and me down, holding our hands and softly telling us, “Your father took his life”. Weightless, lifeless, helpless. Symptoms include: confusion, grief, pain, and sadness. Love from family and friends stitch up the holes that I feel in my heart. I keep my head held high.

At age seventeen, I’m in a car crash and experience whiplash. Symptoms include: dizziness, back pain, neck pain, and fatigue. X-rays and a CT scan prove that I will be fine and feeling better in a couple days. I get to wear a cool neck brace, though. That’s a plus.

I stand alone, the only one in my family to go to the ER and the only one to ever get stitches. I stand together with my closely stitched family as we continue to be strong while living with the most difficult of injuries.