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Eli Hahn

Mrs. Reynolds

Junior English

24, September

What Life Provides

Such a naive, young boy I was. I sat in my fourth-grade class probably thinking

about when recess was next. Until suddenly, my teacher received a call.

“Eli… grab your things and head down to the office please”.

Awe crap! What did I do this time? I thought to myself knowing my reputation is already

spoiled in this school due to past decisions I made.

I walked into the office to see my two sisters there as well and I’m immediately

informed that my brother Jesse was on his way to pick us up. I was very confused but

happy to be out of school early. That happiness was soon obliterated though.

“What are you doing picking us up Jess?” I cutely said.

“Guys”, Jessie calmly said. “Mom got into an accident in Florida, she got hit by a

car and broke her leg.”

After arriving home and seeing my older siblings there crying, I wasn’t sure what

to feel. I was looking for more. More information, more interaction with my family, just

more clarity. That’s when I found myself eavesdropping on my brothers talking. It was

Jesse informing my other older brother Isaac what the situation was. Turned out my

mom shattered her pelvis, broke multiple ribs, and suffered from serious head damage.

Jesse telling me and my little sister that she “broke her leg” was completely sugar
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coding it because he thought we couldn’t handle the truth. Honestly, I was a little angry

at being deceived.

1 month has passed and she’s finally here! I can finally see my mom. My family

all waited as my stepdad wheeled her in on her chair. My older brothers and sisters

embraced her with gentle touching and assuring words, but strangely I sat there quiet

for a couple of moments, trying to face reality. My mom’s face was pale, she was

wearing baggy clothes, I could tell she hadn't showered in a while, and of course, she

was in a wheelchair. As an 11-year-old boy, I couldn’t comprehend the condition my

mom was in, but I knew she wasn’t the same.

After that day, I naturally changed and adapted to what I needed to be. I was

blessed with a big heart and life provided an important time to use it. Every morning

before school I made my mom a fire and let out the dogs. I did what I could to help

around the house and make the people I love feel at ease. It was very easy to feel the

emotional toll this accident was putting on my family. I was given a big family, and for a

time like that in my life, I wouldn’t want it any other way. My family and especially my

mom had all the support we needed.

Life started naturally going back to normal as hearts and injuries healed. My

mom laughed at life and did something remarkable. Just a couple of months after

recovery she started training for a marathon! She completed her training then soon ran

26.2 miles. This made me so happy and proud! It was assuring that me and my family's

effort and empathy for my mom followed through all the way till the end.