The Sled Tracks On The Lawn

Waking up before the rising sun on the morning of the hunt left me feeling groggy with my eyes slow to open and close when blinking. Being extra quiet to not wake up my mother was a main challenge, trying to tippy toe around the cabin and dodging the creaky spots in the floor. Prior to eating breakfast, I began getting dressed. Due to the fact that I was in northern Minnesota, the weather was bone chilling and the wind would seep right through your layers onto your unexpecting skin. Once I had put on my long johns, sweatpants, and long sleeve shirt with a tee shirt on top I began to make my breakfast. I had decided to have scrambled eggs that were cooked to perfection with the yolk golden mixed in with the pure snow white egg white and flakes of pepper sprinkled throughout and toast with butter melted onto the crunchy outside making it soft with homemade strawberry jam spread thick on top.

I got to my apartment and had a huge headache. I shouldn’t have drank that much well off to sleep for me. I did my homework at the library earlier so I don’t need to do that. This is the one week I do it anyway. I yawn once more and climb into my dark bed sheets.I snuggle underneath and drift off to sleep. If only I knew someone was watching me the whole day. I woke up the next day, showered, and brushed my hair for the weekend. I love weekends, no school and no worries. I closed the curtains of my bay window so the whole room would be dark and went down stairs to the burning smell of pancakes. Uck… I hate pancakes.

My parents had packed everything. EVERYTHING. There was bareness on the walls and there was around us except piles and piles of boxes. I looked around the house one last time as cold salty tears streaked down my face. I was covered in tears from the waist up. The feeling of leaving everyone made me empty inside. I felt hollow. Finally my dad said, “Let’s go!” I pleaded with him to let us stay, but I got the same usual answer, “You’ll be fine.” I wasn’t.

I didn’t even get to say goodbye to my mother or my brother. I need to say goodbye, I need to tell them... I just…” I think they’re gonna cry. “We all have our little clocks. Yours ran out,” I say and then keep walking.

I stared blankly out the window, then to my family, then the box that sat right in front of me. “Aren’t you going to open your present?” Usually I’d tear into the paper and reveal the item that I longed for, but I honestly could care less what I got. This family Christmas celebration was a little different, and I really had to make it count. This was just days before we had to make our trek to the great state of Texas. Thoughts about the move raced through my mind, going from California to Texas would definitely be a big change.

“Son, you are leaving tomorrow.” My mom stuttered as she sent me to the Uedas' house. As violence was escalating in our neighborhood,

“Welcome home Father! We have missed you so much,” I cried. “Thank you, Mary I’ve missed you as well,” he said with a quick smile quickly turning back into a frown. “What is the matter; did I do something wrong,” I say getting frightened. “Oh no sweetheart, it is definitely not you it’s just that... never mind. Where is your mother?” “She went outdoors to hang the laundry,” I replied, biting my lip knowing that it’s my job to do the laundry.”Thank you,” he yells, already out the door. As I make my way outside, I see my father worriedly talking to my mother as a look of

“Bye mommy and daddy, I love you!” said little Charlotte. Right before they left, she ran up to the door and gave them both a big hug. They returned the hug, squeezing her tightly, before walking out into the garage and starting the car. Charlotte looked out the window, watching her parents pull out of the driveway. Little did she know that she would never see her dearest parents ever again.

When I got home I took my shopping bags to my room and headed downstairs to watch T.V while waiting on my dad to come home and make dinner. As I reached for the television remote the phone rang.

It was a warm summer evening as I packed for Navy Boot Camp. I carefully went down the list of things I could take and ensured I didn’t have anything else. A little nervous I went to talk to my parents about my move to becoming my own man. I looked at their faces and could tell that although they were proud they were a little nervous about their only son leaving home for the first time. My mom tried to smile but she was proud yet nervous because I had always been her little guy so she was having a hard time letting go. After a short conversation with my parents I decided to try and rest for the long journey ahead.

Tears flowed down her eyes like a streaming river, you could tell she wasn’t ready for me to embark on this long triumphant journey. My mother and I have been tight like glue, ever since my parents became divorced. It’s been my mom and I for about 10 years now. Anyway, today was the day that I left to study abroad in Italy, Sicily, and Greece. I remember walk with my luggage and hearing the wheels on the bottom of my suitcase, “click, clack” as they hit the groves and then the top part of the smooth marble floor, I had never been out of the country without my mother. I could hear her voice in my head saying, “Carpe Diem. Seize the day Bria!”

I ran down the stairs in a rush looking for a box of tissues for him. Maybe there’s some in the pantry. How am I going to live without my mom? I think as I walk towards the kitchen and slip on my sandals that mom got me for my birthday two

ready. I always had to count to three to get out of bed I never was able to just jump out of bed. Finally I got up and realized it was a lot colder than when I was under my silky smooth sheets and electric blanket. I quickly ran to the shower and jumped in. It felt so nice and warm I didn't ever want to get out but I knew that I would be late if I didn't. I got out and got dressed quickly to trap in as much heat as I could. I headed downstairs to start making breakfast. I looked in the freezer for some waffles but there weren't any in there. “Crap!” I exclaimed.

The kitchen was empty, signaling that I was the only one awake. I looked in the fridge for breakfast, and found one egg and 6 mini sausages left. After staring at the almost empty fridge, I kept a

We each take a huge breath as we step out into the crispy snow that snaps under our boots. I make my way to the front door, illuminated by the red, green, and blue Christmas lights. As I open the door and step into a house full of cheek pinches and hugs, an array of Christmas smells welcomes me and makes my mouth water. As my family and I are quickly made comfortable, I look around... All the house is full of Christmas decorations, and the carols are heard all over the house. My cousins are running, playing , and laughing.