Kate S., Oakwood High School
Layers of Autumn Joy
I had fun as a child. My blond mane of hair whipped widely as I dashed from one adventure to another. I had fun, but as I’m sure my parents will tell you, I didn’t help. I couldn’t grasp how I could help others while having fun. I had no idea one trip to the grocery store would change everything.
Gnarled pumpkin faces and crunching of brittle leaves filled my 8-year-old mind; Halloween. As we left the grocery store, plastic bags swung in my arms; their rustling mixing with my older brother''s remarks and laughs. I grinned, content in my Autumn world. My mother herded us to the car, and promptly, we started towards home. I could barely sit still, thoughts of sugar and excitement awaiting us at home filled me with joy. We passed a white home, bright against the carpet of leaves that lay across its lawn. In the center of it all, a fragile woman, her face radiating kindness and worry in each wrinkle, trying futilely to gather leaves, a brittle red rake clutched in her hand. Our car began to pull over, as the wheels slowed, so did my excitement. I had to get home and get to happiness. My happiness. My mother gestured us from the car, and the old woman straightened from her bent position, lifting the withered rake she clutched, leaning on it as if it was the only thing keeping her upright. My mother''s voice mixed with the crackle of leaves as we approached, we introduced ourselves to the old woman and then began to help. At first, I was reluctant, why should I be helping someone I didn''t even know, when I could be at home, having fun. But eventually, as the sun descended in the sky, my doubts set with the sun. I showered armfuls of orange and red hues over my brothers as we worked. Scraping away the layers of Autumn, revealing the matted grass underneath. We hurled our bodies into the mountains and piles we created, our small limbs disappearing in the waves of warmth and fun. For hours, we helped, working and laughing. Glancing at the woman, she had changed, gone was the worry she shouldered at our introduction, in its place was pure, appreciation. By the time it was over, a small sadness came over me. Gone was the reluctance to help, and in its place was the urge to assist and have fun.
That day changed my perspective on life: something shifted as we raked away the leaves of a stranger''s lawn. I realized the real joys in life can come from helping others find joy too. Now, I strive to make every day as joyful as the next, for my joy and everyone around me. Sometimes, taking a burden off someone else, can also take a burden off you and create a joyful bond between people. This has made my life so much fun, and I hope it helps you too.
