My first day in a new world wow its bright. My momma holds me close to her and I feel happy. I look around the room and look for daddy, but I don't see him this makes me so sad I start crying. I think momma knew what I wanted, she rocks me and says, "do not worry my angle he will be here soon." Now it's a day later and I awake from sleep and again I look around for daddy, and yet again he is still not here. My momma starts to get ready for us to go home, so I think daddy will be at home. Mommas drive home and sets me in a bouncer and uses the phone, I assume to call daddy, however, is not able to reach him. I fall asleep but am awaken by a knock on the front door. My momma takes me in her arms and opens the door and we see two officers with their hats off. Momma starts to cry as one of the officers says, "I am so sorry Jessica but there was a bombing before Daniel could leave and well, I'm sorry, but he didn't make it." A little while later after the officers leave momma rocks me and says, "my sweet angle one day when you'll understand I will tell what happened and how those men where your father's best friend, and how he was the bravest man I knew." my momma was crying but for some reason I knew I was safe and that I would still get to know my daddy.

Once Apon a time there was a girl who hated the world and everything in it. The girl was so close to the end that she had to force her to think of reasons to stop and had think in detail as to why it was a good reason. the first reason was her brother, second was dreams of love, and third she knew the pain of being left behind. these were her deepest reasons for living and they have deep meaning.

First, the girls' brother, though they may not be arm and arm, meant everything to her. when the girl was growing up it was not a rainbows and sunshine. The girl was hurt by someone who was supposed to be a parental figure and care for her. That person however did not hurt any of the other children such as her brother for she tried her best to keep them away from him. The girl vowed to herself that she would never let her brother feel the hurt that she felt not matter what it takes. This showed the girl that she would have to live to protect her brother.

Second, the girl had many dreams, but her main dream was that she would find true love. The books that the girl would read gave her the hope that she would one day find her soulmate. Yes, there would be people whom she would think are one and she would be wrong, but she also knew that her grandparents were married one before they found their true love. So yes, she would get hurt however she knew it would be worth it. Therefore, in order to experience true love, she would have to live.

Lastly, the girl had experienced the pain of losing a friend who chose not to live. The girl was friends with her friend since the sixth grade, even after they both moved schools. The friend and the girl texted each other almost every day till, slowly, the friend stopped answering their phone. One day the girl received a texted from the friend's number however it was not them but their mother saying they chose to end their life. The girl did not cry till she received their obituary in the mail. she was hurt by the friend for not talking and letting her try to help. The girl was mad at them for leaving her but eventually she knew she had to let them go. After this, she knows she could not let anyone got through the hurt she did.

After thinking long and hard about these three things the girl realized she could not end her live for if she did, she would not be able to protect her brother, experience true love, or keep everyone from the hurt of losing someone.

I, Ophelia Van Duke, have been given a box. I have just turned eighteen years old and am heading to collage to start my career in literature as an author like my late grandfather. For my going away present my father has given me a box The box is brown and kind of worn down, so whatever is in it could not be new. Unless this is a trick and inside the box is keys to a new car, however the box is too big and heavy. I think and keep thinking as to what could be in the box, then I remember that my parents use to collect things from my childhood. My parents would save thing from my first outfit to the first story I wrote in school. The box looks to be old enough to carry my past but is my past truly this heavy. I study the box for a few moments but finally it's time to open it. I take a deep breath and slowly open the box, when I look inside, I begin to cry. My father has given me something special and way better then a new car. What's in the box? you may be asking, well it's my late grandfathers' typewriter.

Dear Stepmother,

When you first came into my life, I'll be honest I did not want to give you a chance because I wished my parents would have been together. I soon realized that life was not going to go the way I wanted it to but yet I still did not want to even give you a chance. When I went to dads for spring break every morning, I would look out the window to see if your car was there and I would be sad if it was and happy if it wasn't. Over the year I slowly started to realize that I needed to give you a chance, so I did. I thought you were too strict and mean so I really did not look at you as a mom until the day you and dad said that I could live with you all. The day you both said I could move in with you I began to realize you cared because you knew I did not like living with my birth mom, I saw that you loved me like I was your own. After I moved in you were still strict, but I soon realized that it was because you wanted me to succeed in life. I started calling you mom because you showed me and treated me like your daughter. when I had my seizers, I called for you after because as my mom I knew you would take care of me. You made sure I took my medicine and that I was taking care of myself. You refused to give up on me when I wanted to give up on myself. I would not be where I am today if it was not for you mom. You are my mother, and I would not have it any other way. Happy Mother's Day and thank you for loving me like your own.

Love,

Your Daughter.