On 9/11 I remember looking up. I remember how uneasy it felt to see an empty sky. I knew that no matter how long I stood there, staring up, I would not see a single plane fly by. We were shaken as a nation and paralyzed by fear. It was unsettling and I never wanted to feel that fear again.
Unfortunately, four years later the London tube bombings happened. It was one month before I was to move to London for a semester abroad. Selfishly, I remember thinking that my mother would forbid me to go. She didn’t. Instead she offered me a one of our family mottos, “beware of the moose.”
Once, when we’d traveled to Maine we saw a sign on the road that simply stated, “beware of the moose.” It became a motto in our family. It didn’t mean to actually keep an eye out for moose crossing your path. It meant that you can’t control what might get in your way, but to be at the ready when it inevitably does.
Although, traveling, at that time, seemed to be a more of a risk, I realized that I wasn’t raised to fold in the face of adversity. I had more to lose if I let fear take control. I was raised to “beware of the moose.” And so, I moved to London.
This is a fantastic passage.
ReplyDeleteThe first paragraph has terrific flow.
And I loved the "beware of the moose" story.
Some of the writing could be tightened up. Example in the fourth graph. Try this out.
During a trip to Maine one year, we drove by a sign that simply stated, “beware of the moose.” It became our family motto.
A little tighter makes the it less clunky.
Overall, you made me smile and reflect. Great job.
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ReplyDeleteCrystal clear and stunning.
ReplyDeleteAnd great parenting.