For my latest project in my 10th Grade English class, we crafted poems that reflected what built us into who we are today. It could be something as simple as a conversation you had with someone or as complex as a relationship with your religion or sport. It all fell into the hands of the writer on how deep this poem could go. This poem really made me think and reflect on my childhood experiences and what makes me who I am.
My Faith
I included some of my lines referencing my faith, Catholicism. I have been Catholic for my entire life, and I just recently got confirmed. Confirmation is a sacrament that renews our Baptismal vows, since many are infants when they receive the sacrament of Baptism. To me, this was my decision to continue to be a part of the faith instead of my parents’. I believe my faith has much to do with how I was brought up and how I view life as a whole. I am able to find the beauty in the small aspects of life, and it has shown me how powerful a little bit of faith can be.
Childhood Magic
Princess dresses, kitchen dance parties, or staying up late waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. These are all things that I fondly remember from my childhood. When I was a kid, everything felt so magical, and I had dreams out of this world. I had thousands of princess dresses and shoes lined in my closet from the time I could walk. I loved being able to feel like a princess in a Disney movie, while having the comfort of knowing my parents were two steps away. The magic of having daddy-daughter dates in a princess dress is unmatched, and truly is one of reasons I have such a strong relationship with both of my parents. Every princess has to have an elegant ball they attend, but mine were a bit different than those out of a Disney movie. After dinner each night, me and my little brother would have a dance party in the middle of the room. Maybe it was the Kidz Bop playing in the background or the fact that I had a dance partner, but these impromptu dances were a vital part of my childhood that I consistently look back on. The magic of childhood is what truly made me into someone who hopes for the best in things.
Sayings
Each person has people around them that influences them in ways they may not even realize. For me, there are things people say that continue to stick with me all throughout my life. My parents aren’t strict on grades or school, so my dad would always tell me that I just needed to try my best on everything I did in order to leave with no regrets. This has always been a motto for me, and it has shown me that regrets linger longer than failed attempts. Another saying I have ruminated is one I was told at my Confirmation. The Bishop addressed the teens in the room, and told us that we were all created for love. We weren’t created for hate, but instead love. This completely changed the way I view each person I come into contact with and the events that happen across the world. Each time I see someone or cross paths with them, I think of all the good contained in their hearts. I like to see the good rather than the bad in each person, which has made me reflect on myself as well. I not only see the good in others, but also within myself and the actions people take due to this simple interaction I had a single time.
