CREATIVE WRITING
THIS WONDERFUL JOURNEY
By Rachel Alvut
I tossed and turned over and over again in my bed, caught in the sleepless web of anticipation. I had carefully picked out what I would wear, a light teal dress, complete with white lace and ribbons, and a matching hair bow. Just the thought of my beautiful dress caused chills of excitement to tumble down my spine. I glanced nervously at the ever-knowing alarm clock on my bed-stand, praying for time to have passed without my realizing it. But the clock looked on me with mockery as I saw that I still had at least half an hour until it was time to get up. Suddenly I could take it no longer. I sprang from my bed and I bolted out of the room. I sprinted into the closest room, leaping onto the bed, disturbing my parent's slumber.
"What is it? What's wrong?" mumbled my mother, still half asleep.
"Guess what today is?" I exclaimed.
My mother looked over at the clock, instantly tiring of my guessing game
"Rachel," she whined, " it's 5:30. I know you're excited honey, but you really need to try to get some sleep."
My eyes silently pleaded with hers in the dark, and after only a few seconds I knew my pathetic puppy-dog eyes had prevailed once again. The look in her eyes told me that she knew just as well as I did that there was no chance of getting any more sleep this morning.
"All right," she moaned, "you go wash up while I start breakfast."
I ran into the bathroom, quickly washed my face and hands, and then hopped down the stairs into the kitchen where my breakfast quietly awaited. I devoured my French toast as fast as I could, then gulped down the rest of my orange juice before heading back up the stairs to my bedroom. Now came the enormous task of getting dressed. After silently struggling for what seemed like hours, I had successfully dressed myself. The butterflies in my stomach took flight as I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I squealed with delight as I twirled around in front of the mirror, fascinated with the beauty of my dress as it danced around my legs. My mom stood peering through the doorway, not wanting to disturb me. As she watched me spinning around in front of the mirror, she was amazed at what I had become. Her scruffy, awkward, little tomboy had somehow been replaced with a delicate beauty. Her eyes swelled with pride as she smiled at the graceful simplicity that was her daughter.
"Rachel," she called in her song-filled voice, "someone is here to see you."
A beautiful smile overwhelmed my face as my eyes shown with pure delight.
"He's here?" I squealed, no longer able to suppress my excitement.
"Where's my girl?" called a familiar voice.
"I'm coming grandpa!" I sang, grinning from ear to ear.
I raced down the stairs, leaping into the loving arms that awaited me there.
"How beautiful you look!" exclaimed my grandfather as he smothered me with kisses.
"Are you ready?" I asked, apprehension creeping into my young voice.
"Well, there is one thing before we leave," he explained as he pulled out a small box from under his coat, handing it to me. "This is for you."
I opened the box as fast as my five-year old hands possibly could, anxious to see what was inside. Under all the tissue paper lay the most beautiful gift I had ever received. It was a white ribbon, elegantly dancing around a beautiful purple flower.
"I brought you a corsage for your big day," my grandpa explained.
At that point I jumped onto my grandpa hugging him so tightly I could barely breathe; a giant smile stretched across my face. I stared with pure love into the eyes of this remarkable man that was my grandfather. The look in his eyes responded to all that I could not say. It was an unspeakable bond, one that would remain forever unbroken.
And so with my beloved grandfather's hand in mine, I began this wonderful journey...
RACHEL ALVUT wrote this when she was 16 year olds. She is the granddaughter of Jerry and Lucy Jaromin who now live at Lake Fairways.