Narrative Essay 2014
January, 8 2014
Avery Alyse
The sun’s rays were streaming in through my window, the birds were chirping, and my mom was cooking waffles. As my eyelids fluttered open, I realized it was my cousin’s sixth birthday. Unfortunately, the more I began to think about it I was unable to see the picture perfect birthday. Instead of imagining birthday pancakes with pink candles, I saw my cousin crying because she didn’t want to take her pills, or go to the doctor, or do anything that has kept her from being “normal.” From generation to generation, members of my family have been diagnosed with this grim disease. ADHD affects the everyday lives of my grandpa, brother, and cousin. At first Avery just seemed like a kid knocked up on sugar, but now she struggled to do even the simplest of math problems like 50 + 50.
I ran from my room and into the kitchen where my family awaited me. Just a mere glimpse of normalcy kept me from exploding, although after breakfast it seemed as if everything was beginning to shatter again. Not only had my three other family members used all the hot water, but on top of that, my mom was making me wear a dress. “Please don’t make me, I’ll do anything!” I begged. I so desperately wanted to wear a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, but I knew no matter how hard I tried to persuade my mom, the outcome would be inevitable. So, as I threw on that dress I made the ever so common “stink face” that every child makes when they strain to make their point. Every morning my aunt sees this face as she tries to persuade my cousin to take her pills, and every morning both Avery and I wake up unaware of how smart our mothers are and the length they would be willing to go to get the best for us. That morning I thought I could outsmart my mom and get to wear what I wanted to wear, but at the age of nine, I hadn’t yet figured out that my mom was a very clever lady. So, I carried that face with me all the way to my cousin’s house, and even into the party, not knowing my mom wasn’t going to budge.
While everyone else was having fun munching on the cake I had longed for earlier that morning, and gazing at the birthday girl opening her presents, I sat out on the porch pouting. Everyone was looking at the birthday girl and it seemed that no one cared about me. That was until the birthday girl herself came and sat on the porch with me. “What are you doing out here?” she asked calmly. “ Just sitting I guess” I replied. I expected her to leave, but she didn’t. She just sat there with me. For a while I was confused on why she would want to celebrate her birthday with someone who was still pouting about having to wear a dress. Then I realized she didn’t care about the presents or the cake. Avery just wanted to be with her family. I forgot all about the hideous dress I was wearing and just smiled at my cousin. I wondered how someone younger than me could hold that knowledge. That day I concluded that my cousin was someone very special. Not because of what has been thrown at her, but because she carried on and decided to live the way she wants to live.
I have never thought my cousin was at a disadvantage to those around her, mainly because she hasn’t either. From the time I was nine years old she has proven to me over and over again how wise she really is. She taught me that family holds the most importance. There are times in our lives when we forget what really matters, but thankfully, there are people like my cousin Avery to clear the fog and help us get back on our feet.