Tag: WritingAssignments

The goal of this post is for me to be able to come back and look at what I’m thankful for. To have a visible reminder of the good in my life, rather than just trying to come up with it on the spot. So, without further ado, let’s begin!

1. I’m thankful for my supportive parents and my caring siblings. I feel lucky to say I have a good relationship with them all.
2. I’m thankful for the lifelong friends I’ve made along the way.
3. For my dogs and cat, obviously. They provide me comfort in the simplest ways.
4. I’m thankful for the random strangers that smile at me when I make eye contact. It really brightens up a gloomy day.
5. For all the opportunities I’ve been presented with and the people who’ve pushed me in the right direction.
6. I’m thankful I’ve made as much growth as I’ve had. Teen Maddie wouldn’t even recognize adult Maddie.
7. Finally, I’m thankful for the people who do good just because. Strangers that help with flat tires, friends that provide support, siblings that will keep secrets, etc.

That was a bit longer than 10 seconds, but I was on a roll and there is no such thing as being too thankful.

Let’s move on to what was supposed to be the 10 second drawing, but really ending up being around 2 minutes.

Needless to say, my high school art teacher would be proud. It looks just like me.

It’s kind of hard to think about what my last words would be. There are so many situations that could influence my last words. Do I know I’m dying? Because if not, the words may not be so wise. Probably something along the lines of “you wanna fight,” because I, a small human, jokingly say that all the time.

I’m going to assume I do know I’m dying or I’m about to do something that shouldn’t, but could result in death in this scenario. My last words would probably be “there are worse things than death,” which seems brave and wise, but it’s really not.

Over the course of my life, I’ve realized that people will avoid doing things out of fear. People don’t get on roller coasters because they fear dying. People don’t go bungee jumping or sky diving because they fear death. I’m not saying I don’t, but I started doing this thing where if I’m nervous about doing something, I say this and just do it. Because yes, death is scary and no one should die young, but am I really willing to miss out on something adventurous and fun just because I’m fearful? Am I going to avoid things that could make me a better, more experienced person just because of my fear?

The answer I’ve come to is no. I’m not going to let fear rule my life. Life is too short to miss out on such great opportunities.

• 

• 

To end this post, I leave you pictures of my good boy, Johnny. Enjoy.

Dear Maddie,

Life will seem difficult. You will want to give up, cry, scream, and yell more than you can imagine. That’s okay. Allow yourself to feel those emotions. Bottling them up will do no good. Because life is difficult. It always will be. You just have to learn to always be ready and willing to pick yourself back up, to keep going.

You will go through things that you think no one else is going through, that everyone else has it so easy. You are simply wrong. People, like you did, will try to make it seem like they are handling what life throws at them so easily, but everyone struggles. Everyone needs a little push now and then.

Life is so much easier when you have love in your heart and kindness in your mind. Do your best to spread love and kindness. Life is hard, but it can be so freeing and beautiful.

There are many people who inspire me, from people I know directly and people I don’t. My parents inspire me everyday. My siblings shock me everyday with how much they inspire me. My friends, which I haven’t seen in awhile, inspire me. Ruth Bader Ginsburg inspires me (she’s badass), Lizzo inspires me, Lupita Nyong’o inspires me.

Quite a few people make me want to do better and be better everyday, so I’m going to take this in a little different direction.

I inspire me. I’ve done a lot of growing over the past several years. I’ve gone through depression, done some grieving, dealt with medical complications, but I’m still here. I’ve changed for the better and I have these people to thank.

Having people who inspire you is a fantastic thing. If it’s not your friends or family, then make it someone who’s made a difference in this world. These people will help you become the person you want to be. There’s no shame in growing and inspiring yourself.

Maybe even write it out too! That’s why I’m doing this. When I have a hard day, or week, or even month, where it seems impossible to see my accomplishments and progress, I have something to look at and remind me.

As always, I will end this with a picture of my dogs. Maybe they’ll inspire you.

So, for those who don’t know, I have a plethora of dogs. Four in actuality, six to be technical. Four are mine and live with me, two more are my brothers, but he travels quite a bit so I watch them for him.

Anyways, I always walk my dogs. Usually just around the neighborhood or to a park. Simple, but they enjoy it. Recently, however, my oldest dog was diagnosed with cancer. Not to sound harsh, but he’s going to die. I am extremely devastated by this, but it’s pushed me to up my game of the walks he goes on. He was always an extremely energetic dog, and loves his walks so I have to spoil him, right?

Every walk for the past two weeks have been different. I walked him in downtown Frederickburg because he loves the attention he gets (plus The Italian Station always gives him a puppuccino), I walked him to a friends house to play with their dogs, I took him on a nature hike, and I even took him to the beach.

These walks made me realize something; that dogs live a life of enjoyment of the simplest things. Something I think humans need to embrace. My dog, Murdock, stops to smell every flower (literally), sits in the grass under some shade and just lays his head on me when he needs a break, he get’s excited when it starts raining and does a cute dance trying to catch the rain. He may be dying, but he is enjoying the simple things in life. He is taking in the world for what it is and making something of it. The walks are peaceful, beautiful, and most importantly, good for the mind.

Murdock loves his walks and I’ve decided to love them too. Murdock is a good boy and always will be.