Helping Hands

I have seen many hands in my life.  The hands of the people who have made me who I am today.  One of the people who have helped me is my mother.  My mother has sacrificed so many things so I can have a great life.  She will spend all the money she has so she can put me in a Catholic school, so I can have a good education.  When my mother is sick or weak, she will clean, cook, iron clothes, sign papers, and buy things for my sisters and me.  She helps me with my homework and to study for a test.  She’s always the one who helps me up when I fall.  She’s the hand who always pats me on the shoulder when I succeed.  My mother is the person who puts a smile on my face.  She is the person who has inspired me to be the best person I am today.

I’ve never seen Jesus’ actual hands, but he is one of the people who have helped me.  There are days when I really get angry, but Jesus is the person who stops me from getting angry.  There are times when my friends just don't understand me and are selfish.  Jesus is my good friend.  When people are putting me down and ignoring me, Jesus gives me the strength to forgive them.  I have never thought of myself as being strong and courageous, but Jesus shows me that each day.

The hands of my teachers are what I see Mondays through Fridays.  They help my education to grow by teaching me new and important things.  My teachers not only teach us the basic subjects but also how to be good-natured and peaceful kids.  We learn to be good citizens and intelligent students.  They teach us how to figure out hard equations and figures.  We have teachers who teach us the history of our country and the victories we had.  We have teachers who teach us how to speak properly and write like smart students.  We also have teachers who show us what is in our bodies, what plants do to survive and how the Earth is formed.  These teachers have always been with us and will always be with us.  These teachers have made our education grow and they helped me be the intelligent girl I am today.

- Tasha J., Class 8A2

Helping Hands

I am dedicating this essay to my little sister Jessie.  Jessie is 5 years old and she has Down Syndrome.  She also has had 3 open heart surgeries.  The first thing she did after her last surgery was smile at us.  Then when she came home she gave us a million hugs and kisses.  Since that time, Jessie has helped my family and me to have faith.  She was so strong and suffered a lot, but she kept on trying and fighting and loving.

Some things are difficult for her to do because of her health, but she always finds a different way to do it all by herself.  She has helped me learn that I can do anything if I really try and put my mind to it.

Jessie consoles me when I’m sad.  She also forgives me easily if I make her mad.  Because of this she has taught me about compassion.  When we ride the bus or the train she gives hugs and kisses to everyone around her.  She doesn’t care that they are strangers, young, old, or any race or color, because, to Jessie, they are all her family.

My little sister, Jessie, has helped me to learn about love, faith and compassion and to keep trying.

- Krystal G., Class 5-1