A Little Bit of Allison: Hope When All Was Lost

Alright guys, time for another personal story that I have chosen not to share until now. I shared it a lot in high school, but then decided it unnecessary to continue sharing once I graduated. Well, recent decisions made by others to divulge personal information of mine have provoked me to write this post. It's not quite as touching as my adoption story, but it was a miracle in my life nonetheless. I'll try to make it short, sweet, and to the point.

So, for those of you who are close to me in my life, you'll know that I suffer from a mental illness. Although I am sharing this story, I have chosen not to specify which mental illness. I am medicated for it though, and let me tell you, those 150mg tablets saved my life...literally.

When my family and I had moved back to Idaho when I was about to turn 14, I was quite a wreck. I was getting into all sorts of trouble and behaving like the child I never was. Growing up, I was always sweet and kind, never getting into too much trouble. Right around when I was 9 or 10, I started feeling symptoms of my illness, but it went unnoticed. I did cross country when I was 11, 12, and part of being 13, so I was able to manage my illness with it, once again, going unnoticed. When I found out we were moving back to Idaho from Washington, something snapped in a drastic, terrible way. I was shoplifting, fighting, and even saying/doing crazy things. The Allison I had once been was now lost. It got really bad when we moved to Idaho. That summer, my parents didn't know what to do. They had tried sending me to a nature behavioral camp called Anasazi which entails a six week program of hiking in the Arizona desert. Two and a half weeks into the program, I had stopped eating and drinking water, so they had to get me to the nearest hospital and send me home. My parent's hearts broke as they felt so helpless while viewing my struggle. School began in Idaho, and I attended my freshman year in another junior high. About two months into the school year, I got into a fight with a girl from school. Once again, not being myself at all, I had to be taken out of school and evaluated for behavioral issues. It was so bad that my vice principle thought I was taking some sort of illegal substance.

It was at this point that (and my father reported this later) my parents thought they would never have their Allison back. They thought she was lost into their memories, only returning in brief moments of coherency. Once those moments became so far and in between that they were memories themselves, my parents decided that the BHC wasn't working for me.

Countless prayers, holding numerous ward fasts, and being on the prayer roll each week, my family and friends were desperately hoping for a miracle. I received many supporting notes/cards from the young women in my ward. (I still have all of them by the way). The support of our home ward was overwhelming, and to this day I am so grateful for each of them.

With one last ounce of determination to get their Allison back, my parents decided to call a residential treatment center in Salt Lake. This place had an excellent reputation, and was fully furnished so there would be no hiking. One event that began the miracle was that there was a waiting list that lasted two or so months, and I was able to get in within the next week of my dad calling.

I can only fathom how challenging this time was for my parents. My father drove me down to Salt Lake, and I can't even begin to understand the pain he must have felt in his heart as he drove back to Idaho. I remember it was conference weekend in April. To find some comfort in my situation and distract myself from tears, I tuned the radio in my room to the station playing conference. I finally had calmed down when a man knocked on my door and proceeded to take my shoes and radio from me because I was a high risk patient. The darkest night in my life up until that point was nothing compared to the loneliness I felt in those first hours at the treatment center.

There were so many helpful counselors and staff members there that made those two months of my life a miracle. The loving young women in my ward made a quilt and sent it down with my parents. That quilt has stayed a part of my blanket set on my bed ever since.

Through constant prayers and support, I could feel myself return. My parents witnessed the miracle as they picked me up from the treatment center two months later. (They visited almost every week while I was there, by the way). My sister Kristie and her husband made a constant effort to visit me and did so often.

A couple weeks before I was discharged, Kristie and her husband came to see me. As they were saying goodbye, Kristie hugged me and I could feel her tears spill on to my shoulder. I pulled back and could feel the tears well up in my own eyes. She tried her best to contain her pained sobs, and wiped the streaming tears from my face and said, "Don't cry, don't cry. You'll be ok, you'll be out of here soon. Don't cry, I love you. It'll be ok." We hugged again and I could hear her sobbing as she was let out of the building. I made two lifelong friends at the center (Katie and Kayla) and Katie said to me that night, "You need to go home. I saw you and your sister, and you need to go home."

As the day approached for me to check out of the treatment center, I couldn't be more thrilled. I'll always remember so clearly how my father hugged me with inexplicable joy and said, "Oh this is so much better than I could have imagined". They had their Allison back, and she was here to stay.


My friends, my story of having a mental illness is personal to me, but if you get one thing from it, I hope that it's the story of hope. I know so many people who suffer from a variety of mental illnesses and it can cause some to take their own lives. Please, please know there is help. There is hope. If I could return to my family in a stable and healthy matter, I know anyone can.

All is not lost, and hope will prevail.

Thank you for reading!

-Allison Susanne De Arton

A Little Bit of Allison: Opinion on Religion

I once made a decision to not share my views on certain topics online. These "views" consisted of religious, political, and current event views. My opinion didn't seem strong enough to want to join the fight for either side. Well my friends, that time has passed. I've now decided that my opinions have developed to the point that I can't help but share. I won't share my views on political matters or current affairs because I don't think I'm knowledgeable enough to do so. Plus, online research on those topics is mostly filled with biased articles. So I decided to share my feelings on my religion, and religion in general. Alright, you ready?

As I've stated before, and this will mark the third time, I am LDS. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I'm also classified as a Mormon, a Christian, and a Saint.

I'd like to tell you a story about my life. I wasn't always proud to be a latter day saint. Sometimes I'd even say I "used to be" Mormon, but I "most definitely wasn't now". I wanted to live the life I had never lived before. Being raised in the church, I was always taught what not to do, and how to differentiate between right and wrong. By the time I was in my late teen years, I decided I wanted to experience this mysterious, unknown side of life for myself. I knew that it wasn't true to my personal values and my beliefs, but I wanted to test the limits as far as I'd let myself go. For those of you who read my adoption post, you know that my "rebellion" came to a dramatic halt when I found out I was expecting. My friends, that beautiful girl saved my life. If she hadn't have entered my life when she did, chances are I'd still be in Salt Lake making nothing of myself. I would have moved in with some guy under the non-committal relationship we shared. Who knows what would have become of me, but I'm so grateful I never have to find out.

The journey to turning my life around was all but simple. The answer to do so sounded easy enough. I just needed to repent and go back to church. That would surely help. Repenting* was much harder than I prepared myself for. Knowing I had offended the Savior and my Heavenly Father was a tough pill to swallow. The bitter hours of embarrassment and shame during my pregnancy caused me to reflect on the goals I once had. I remember sleepless night where I would cradle Adelé and tell her how much I loved her, and I caught a glimpse of how much my Heavenly Father loved me. When I saw Adelé for the first time when she was born, there was such a strong love that I couldn't stop the overwhelming feeling from consuming me. How could I ever love something more? How could one small baby be so perfect? How on earth did my body create such a perfect being? Then the answer came clear: Because your Heavenly Father loves each of His children personally on a level you have yet to understand. Everything will work out.

From then on, I can't help but smile each day. The repentance process I tackled was challenging, but with God's help, I made it through. There is no question in my mind that the Savior and Heavenly Father carried me through the aftermath of placing Adelé. I am a weak mortal whose strength comes from the eternal beings who are constantly aware of each of us.

I know there are several religions who believe the same as I. I'm not here to condemn or to say which is wrong and which is right. What I am here to say is that I believe in Christ and Heavenly Father. I know that the LDS church is the one true religion with the complete truth. I believe in the Atonement and the Resurrection with each part of my heart and mind. I know that Heavenly Father and His Son are aware of every soul, even yours. He knows what we need help with, we just have to ask.

Thank you for reading this post, and I hope it helped lift your spirits.

-Allison S. De Arton




*For those of you unfamiliar with the LDS church, repentance is the process one takes to become right with God. When you sin or offend Him, you use the Atonement to cleanse yourself and become more Christlike. The Atonement is when Jesus our Savior bled from every pore in the garden of Gethsemane to atone for our sins, and then he was crucified on the cross. He was resurrected three days later. My focus in this post is about the suffering Jesus went through for each of us.

Click

What do you think of 

When you hear "live in the moment"?

Is it something with love,

Or is it some kind of torment?

What if you could pause

The exact second you're in

And all of a sudden cause

An eternal grin?

Two people can look

At one clip so differently.

One can read it like a book,

And the other can see some negativity.

What if you stopped

And took a deep breath

And realized your heart just popped, 

Plus this life is here until death.

So take in these moments,

Pause them in your mind.

Look at them positively,

And true happiness you will find.

Don't let these seconds pass

As if they'll never return,

Because my dear friend,

In your mind, the image will churn.

-Allison S. De Arton

A Little Bit of Allison: Mutual Wave

I have an itching I should change the name of this blog to "A Little Bit of Allison". I mean, "And the journey begins..." is a nice name, but I wonder if it has worn itself out. I mean, how many times does the journey begin? My specific journey begins everyday, yes, but at the same time, it's ongoing. Hm. Something to consider I suppose.

Alright, as promised, this is the blog I gave my Facebook friends a sneak peak to. I will actually post a couple pictures on this one, so you know it has to be good ;) (The only other post with a picture is the adoption post and that one received over 1,300 views...and still counting). So my friends, without any further delay, let us begin. The Mutual Wave...

Lately I've been on a running kick. I have always loved running, and it's definitely convenient to say I love it when introducing myself. Unfortunately with school, work, and other life circumstances, running fell short on my priorities list. Well, the beginning of this semester, I wanted to change my life drastically. I don't know what it is about the new year, (and I'm sure most can agree) but it gives me a sense of over-hyped confidence. Most years I am awesome in January, and by February I'm depressed I haven't kept up my goals and am drowning my sorrows in Valentine's Day chocolates. Oh and these chocolates, mind you, were purchased by myself, not the prince charming boyfriend that I have yet to have on V-Day. This year, however, I was going to prove to be different. Let's get real--2013 was probably my least favorite year of all time. It shaped me to become the best me in 2014...we'll put it that way. (I will never regret 2013 or wish to change any part of it, just saying). So, there were several goals I set for myself. Instead of saying "I wish I was thinner", I wrote "I will be thinner." My determination grew when suddenly I spent less time wishing, and more time doing. My goals that I've chosen to share are as follows:
I will be more active.
I will exercise when time allows.
I will show kindness to everyone, including bratty guests at my workplace who decide that I'm a waste of their time.
I will graduate from my extensively hard program at EITC
I will balance my time according to my priorities.
I will not be too busy to pray, read my scriptures, or spend at least a moment to thank my Heavenly Father for something beautiful around me.
...And lastly...
I will do everything in my power to share my happiness, when I gain it, with others.

This was a long list of goals. There were a couple I left out, but future blog posts may (or may not) be available so you can know them too.

Instead of writing about each individual goal, I decided I will pick three. (Three topics a post seems to be trending on my blog. I kinda like it.) So, we'll start with the one that inspired my title.

I Will Be More Active/Exercise When Time Allows

So, I won't lie, I'm not crazy about my working out schedule. Like I said, I don't get to run as often as I'd like. I still love it, but I don't look like I do. Within the last week or so, I've decided to run a 4.5 mile loop and made the determination to NOT STOP. It didn't matter how slow or fast I went, I just could not walk. First time I ran it, I didn't stop :). Today is the third time I've done it, and my friends I am proud to say: I HAVE NOT STOPPED! It's so exhilarating. One thing I love about running my loop is that there are some bike riders or other walkers/runners. My favorite thing about seeing people in the morning working out is that there is a mutual wave. It's the two seconds you take to look at each other, raise your hand or nod your head, and those seconds you both know: you've accomplished something. You're out there getting endorphins and so are they. It's like a club or something. The nod, the mutual wave. You both know you're awesome, and you don't care who else knows.

I Will Not Be Too Busy For Heavenly Father

I have stated on this blog that I am a Latter Day Saint of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Well friends, this is still true and always will be. I had a counselor tell me that it didn't matter what circumstance you are in, if you give your time to Heavenly Father, your whole outlook will change. He and the Savior have given us so much, so the LEAST I could do is take 15-20 minutes out of my day to read some scriptures and say my prayers. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior, and I love the relationship I have with Them. There have been so many miracles in my life that I can not give any other credit for. Their love for each of us is incomprehensible. So the few minutes I give to Them each day and the three hours each Sunday seem minimal compared to what They have given me.

Last but not least...

I Will Do Everything In My Power To Share My Joy

Positivity.

For those of you who are my Facebook friend, you've seen this picture. It's the sneak peak, and also my new pair of favorite shoes. I misquoted them on my page. They actually say, "Be the change in the world you wish to see" not want to see. 

I know I said earlier that I was done wishing and wanted to start doing, but there is still a part of me that wishes something every night at 12:34am if I'm still awake. I've done this for years, and I doubt I'll ever stop. One thing I wish for sometimes is for the world to be more positive. You turn on the news and it's like an instant life ruiner. So many awful stories that make the headlines. I agree that it's important to be knowledgeable, but sometimes some stories deserve the respect of silence. What I mean is if I were to die a terrible death by monkeys or something, I'd prefer that only my family knew. If my daughter were kidnapped then returned traumatized, I wouldn't want some telemarketer in South Virginia to read my story while idly browsing the news on her break. I would prefer my story of adoption that's filled with hope and sacrifice to be shared. I would prefer that my recovery story of having a mental illness be broadcast on Time Square letting people know that help is available. I would like to be the change of positivity where good tidings and joy come all year round, not just in December. So, I have these shoes that inspire me. Yes, they're pretty cute because they're Toms and they look good on me, but they also have the meaning of something more. Not only has Toms provided the One for One deal (where a child gets a pair of shoes because I bought one of theirs), I get to stand in the mirror and look at my shoes and myself and say "Be the change in the world you wish to see". 

Well my friends, this post is lengthy. A picture is worth 1,000 words I suppose. ;) Thank you for reading, and hey, help me out and be the change you wish to see. Oh, and don't forget to smile.

This is what I look like, by the way.

-Allison Susanne De Arton

A Little Bit of Allison: Pay it Forward

After I published my last post, I realized that I wanted to share both extreme sides of me. If you read Controversial, you'll see that I'm very opinionated when it comes to certain topics. I limited that post to three, because I felt those three were the most important for me to discuss at this time. Another extreme attribute I have is kindness. I'm probably the most humble person I know ;) I'm kidding, I just know that I've been told that I'm a nice person. When thinking about posting this, I thought about how doing kind things makes me feel. That's when I decided that I was an extremist when it comes to giving. I can't think of a better joy (other than being in love) than giving people things. Whether it be time, money, gifts, or even a smile, I find true joy in making other people's days. Now don't get me wrong, I can be a brat too. I just find that I enjoy paying it forward.

One story I want to share about this is something that happened at my place of employment. I work at a restaurant that serves an American version of Italian food, and the atmosphere is just like family. (Any wild guesses as to where I work? ;)) It was the week of Valentine's Day, the Tuesday before I believe. I had a pretty decent shift and one of my last tables was enjoying their meal. I got along quite well with this table, and they loved my red hair...so I could do no wrong. It came time to pay, so I swiped the card as usual. To my dismay, the card declined. My first thought, "Oh no. That's so awkward, I like this couple too much to tell them they don't have enough money for this." I felt really bad because, like I said, they were pretty cool. So, I got my courage in check and went to explain the card had declined. The man seemed embarrassed and confused, so he proceeded to check his bank account on his phone. The couple was married, so the girl couldn't just get up and bail thankfully ;) Anyway, as he was waiting for his phone to load, I had a strong urge to take the bill myself. I had made decent money in tips that night, so what's a small portion going to hurt? I told them without hesitation that I would take care of the check. I handed him his card and told them I would go grab the mints. They were taken back that I would offer to do so, but they weren't shy about showing their gratitude. I was pleased I had the ability to take care of their bill without having to worry about cheating any systems or getting a manager to take something off. That night I went home feeling accomplished because I had done something that made someone's day. Now, I don't like to share things that I did that are nice unless I feel like it's beneficial. I'm not a "woe is me" type of person. This story is not quite over.

The week progressed and I only told my parents about my kind deed. I was satisfied in knowing I had helped the lovely couple out, and that was good enough. That week was a little challenging for personal reasons, but Valentine's Day made up for it. At the restaurant I work at, Valentine's Day is one of the busiest days of the year. What better way to say "I love you" than a 1,500 calorie meal and breadsticks? ;) So, the night was hectic. People everywhere. The busiest part of my shift, or so it seemed, one of the hosts came back and handed me a plate of cookies that had a card labeled "Allison The Redhead :)" wrapped to it. At first I thought I had some sort of secret admirer, so my thoughts began racking my brain as to who it could be. Who called me a redhead along with my name? The two don't usually go hand in hand. Was there someone in my singles ward that liked me? Maybe it was someone from high school? Did they say Allison the redhead because they knew there were more than one Allison/Alyson at the restaurant? What was happening?    These questions kept dancing around when it finally hit me. It was the couple. That lovely couple that gave me the opportunity to do something nice. I won't lie, I was a little sad to find out I didn't have some secret admirer. I waited to open the card until the shift was over. I opened it to find some money and a note. The money was way more than the check, and the note basically made me cry. The husband had been doing everything he could that day to make his wife's Valentine's Day special because she was going out of town for the weekend. He had taken her various places and spaced to check how much he was spending. Then when they left the restaurant, he realized he was only a dollar short to pay the check. He expressed his gratitude that I was so willing to do something like that. What I viewed as an opportunity to serve, he viewed it as a tender mercy. To this day, that same note and money remain in my desk. I don't know what I'm going to do with the money. I want to use it to pay it forward somehow.

So, even though from my last post I sound harsh and cruel, I can be a nice person too. This story is just one I like to use because there are good people in this world who will let us nice ones know they appreciate our kindness. Sometimes the beauty of the world goes full circle. I wish I could find that couple and tell them how they've impacted me to do something kind each week. I would thank them for giving me hope in humanity, but alas, a blog dedicated to them will have to do. Thanks for reading!

-Allison S. De Arton

A Little Bit of Allison: Controversial

Warning: This blog post contains sensitive subjects and topics that may be offensive to some people. I declare this as my own opinion and it does not reflect those of anyone else. In my twenty one years of living, these are some conclusions I have come to. Once again, it does not reflect any opinion of anyone else, including the religious group I belong to. If you find offense to what I say, be angry with me. No one else.

Alright, that warning was true. I am going to post this because I'm tired of scrolling through my Facebook feed and not saying how I feel about controversial issues. I will not be apologetic about what I cover and what I say. This is how I feel, and this is who I am. How you take it is your choice, whether you agree or not. I can't emphasize enough that these are MY opinions. Yes, some of them may be common opinions/beliefs, but as I said: Be angry with me if you don't like it, not my church or friends. So, here we go.

Abortion

I figured I'd start with this one because it seems to be a trending issue that is in secret, but continually getting stronger. I know in some circumstances, such as rape, abortion can be considered. When it comes to a decision you've made with your partner to share that intimacy and then you end a life because it wasn't planned, that's not ok. There are several pictures that explain this perfectly. Somehow baby elephants and whales in the womb need to be protected and saved, but when it comes to a baby human and accepting responsibility, somehow it's ok to "get rid of it" or "take care of it" by ending its life? Really? What have we come to as a society to portray that we don't want our young just because we aren't ready? I of all people was not ready to have a child. I had a good body and a life I didn't want to give up. Yes, abortion was an option, but one that I never thought twice about making. There are SO many couples who have been ready and waiting for children. So if you don't want the responsibility of a child, bring joy to someone else's life. (I placed Adelé because I loved her, not because I didn't want her, but that's a story you already know.) Bottom line, don't be selfish and end someone's life just because it isn't what you wanted.


Gay Marriage

This is a topic I've always brushed off by saying it's "tricky". I'll be honest with you, I don't mind people who are homosexual. That's their decision to live that lifestyle. I used to think it was a choice to have those tendencies. As I've gotten older, I've realized it isn't always a choice to feel that way, only a choice to act on it. My religion teaches that marriage in our temples is between man and woman. I believe this with every part of me, and I plan to do that in my own life. That being said, people who are homosexual deserve a right to be happy in their lives as well. Now, as far as legalizing gay marriage, I'm partial. What I am against is when homosexuals will question why they can't get married in our temples. That is something I will stand firmly in my belief. In our temples, marriage is between man and woman. ONLY man and woman. That is the one way two imperfect humans can become closer to God and develop a home that is like unto heaven on earth. As far as treating homosexuals as less or being "homophobic", I say to you: Who do you think you are? The second commandment given from God to the world is to "Love thy neighbor as thyself". Is a homosexual no longer your neighbor because he/she doesn't practice the way you do? No. They are still children of a loving Heavenly Father, and it is NOT our place to decide their fate. Will they go to hell? I don't know, and neither do you. That is not our decision. As President Uchtdorf said concerning gossiping and being unkind: Stop it. Love one another, whether they act the way you'd like them to or not. Let Heavenly Father work out the rest.

Premarital Sex

This is obviously something I know about from experience. I am not married yet, but I can tell you this: I will not share that intimacy in any form until I have been married in The Holy House of The Lord. There is an excellent video going around in which a man describes what sex is supposed to be. It is the coming together of man and woman to become one. When done outside the bonds of marriage, it is destructive and harmful. It is toying with one of the best gifts from God: procreation. Sex isn't only meant to create beautiful children, it is also to bond. Practicing this as recreation or just for fun is demeaning and disrespectful to our loving Heavenly Father. It mocks the very purpose of coming to this life and enjoying it to the fullest. I can tell you from my own experience, when you "sleep with" your boyfriend or girlfriend, they do not "love" you. They do not respect you. They lust after you. The only thing they want is a gain, and the more you give it to them, the less they truly care for you. You have become an item to them that serves their selfish and harmful desires. Bottom line: premarital sex is for the weak. Intimacy within the bonds of marriage is for the bold and brave, the strong and the determined. The people who wait are not "lame" or "prude", they are smart and understand things at a level most can't comprehend.


Alright, those are the three topics I chose to give my opinion on. Lastly, I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I love my religion and its practices. The people of my church aren't perfect, so give us a break when we mess up. I strive to love my Heavenly Father more and more each day and become like the Savior. If I have offended you, once again, these are my words. I will not apologize for them, but I will let you know that they are from me and my life experiences. Thank you for reading.

-Allison Susanne De Arton

A Little Bit of Allison: Persuasive English Paper

So, I feel pretty proud of myself right now. Why? I just wrote (what I think) a pretty great paper in twenty eight minutes!! Haha, I only texted one person about it first, then I decided I would share with my Facebook world. The goal of this paper was to persuade someone to love a certain place. It could be a restaurant, a city, a state...just any place really. Well, knowing me, I chose Seattle. After reading this paper, hopefully you will be online looking at house prices ;) I'm totally kidding...kind of. A slight disclaimer though, and I can't believe I'm admitting this online, I do enjoy my current town. Well, I hope you enjoy the read, and please, comment and let me know how I did! (I'll keep you posted on what my teacher gives me for a grade--so far my track record is: 99, 100, 100. We'll see if I can keep those 100's)

Seattle, The Emerald City of Dreams

Allison De Arton

Eastern Idaho Technical College

English 101-01, J. Haeberle

April 10, 2014

Seattle: The Emerald City of Dreams

            How many children do you know between the ages of six and fourteen? If the answer is even as low as one, you know that children are picky. They have to have to have things the way they want. Well, between the ages of six and fourteen in my life, I myself had the world in my hands. A simple concept at the time, yet now it seems unattainable. Why did I have the whole world in the palm of my hands? I lived in the most beautiful place in the world: Seattle, Washington. The breath of fresh air that the evergreens provide allowed a beautiful, healthy childhood. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest is any child’s dream, and every adult’s fantasy.

            Located in the western most part of the state, before the peninsula, Seattle offers a variety of arts, culture, and beauty. In the heart of the city itself you’ll find music from bands you've never heard of, food you would never have tried, and people you’d like to know. As a young one, my eyes lit up every time going to Seattle was the plan. There’s something relaxing about driving through the streets with the sun peering in when the trees allowed. I couldn't help but close my eyes and imagine the fast moving shadows were dancing across my childhood dreams, each one taking their place in my creative mind. The majestic mountains point to the sky as you come around the bends of the road. Such mountains include Mt. Rainier, which can be viewed if you travel south of Seattle. The lush greenery and freshly cleaned air provides a painted look to the scenery on your way to Seattle. As a child, there isn't anything more that can ignite the mind.

            Seattle was once known as the third highest state for the worst traffic. Growing up with traffic, I actually love being stuck in it now. So many cars driving the same roads to reach different destinations can cause confusion and frustration. If you are constantly surrounded by such distress, you find ways to find comfort in it. As the rain spills on to the windshield, the red lights of the brakes in front of you add a glow to each water droplet. With each windshield wiper movement, the water refracts and each drop finds its own path. Even though the traffic may take a while to move through, there is beauty in watching the never ending rain, and knowing you have time to enjoy it. The wet roads glow with an inviting warmth that guides you to Seattle. The markings on the road stay clear and clean, assuring you they will not lead you astray. Yes, traffic can be troublesome, but to this day it still provides a sense of comfort to me.

            As one travels into the city, you can see the buildings slowly grow taller and taller, showing their pride in being well built. Lining the Puget Sound, the city reflects off the calming water. Even when tossed with waves, the water provides a cool breeze which allows a sensation of possibility and achievement. Anything is possible in Seattle, any goal attainable. When the sun shines and finally decides to rest for the night, the rays of warmth coat the city in their glow. When the stars arrive at their designated time, they dance with the moon across the sky. Planes and jets accompany them in what seems like the life of the party in the star kissed display above. The glittering buildings shimmer through their windows, making the night an enjoyable adventure. The cars continue to hustle around the highways, never sleeping, never stopping. Laughter and acoustic guitars fill the streets with music that sparks an interest in staying awake for a few more hours. Even with the rain trickling down your cheek, the thrill of the night doesn’t cease.

            As a child, there are many things to learn and explore. Seattle provides such adventures like the Pacific Science Center, Woodland Park Zoo, and the Seattle aquarium. When I was living there, I was able to go with my school class and spend the night at the Pacific Science Center and the Woodland Park Zoo. These places provided knowledgeable volunteers and employees who taught us children things about space and animals. We were able to spend an eventful and educational weekend with specialists who loved their jobs. There were also many islands to visit in the Puget Sound. Each island could be accessed by ferries which ran on a timed schedule each day. The public school I attended took us to one of these islands and we learned about the Native Americans which first inhibited the land. At each destination we went as a class, whether it be a city attraction or a protected natural environment, we were fed delicious food both physically and mentally. Seattle raises her children to be educated and competent in such a competitive world.

            Driving home from such fun filled days in the Emerald City was a perfect way to fall asleep. Safely attached to the vehicle while riding in the backseat, heavy eyelids often find their way to meet their lower partner. I can only be certain that tired parents find joy in discovering their energetic child fast asleep in the back of their car. So much accomplished in just one day, there must have been a sense of pride in each parent knowing they created lifelong memories for their young one.

            Each day that ended, I would crawl into my warm bed and crack the window just enough to hear the plethora of frogs sing their chorus. As I drifted into my dreams, I would picture the one bullfrog that would only grace me with his tone every now and then. He sang me to sleep, and joined the shadows in their dance of my imagination.

-Allison S. De Arton