A Short Story : A Life Lost?

“Thank you!” I started to cry. “Please, be careful!” I cried into my dad’s shoulder.

Within the article "A Life Worth Ending" Michael Wolff recounts the events of his ill mother at her final stage of life. Along with his own battle with a flawed healthcare system. Wolff Brilliantly intertwines literary elements with the use of characterization and his first point of view to tell his story.

The meditation began with violin music as students and teachers entered the church. The music continued for three or four minutes after everyone had found their seats. When the music concluded, the speaker walked to the lectern and began speaking. He started off his speech with an anecdote on his childhood fear of the film, “The Wizard of Oz.” He explained that as a child he felt frightened of even the most benign subjects-flying monkeys led to soiled pants. The meditation then lingered from specificity to a more general theme.

They would sit quietly… I imagined that they were my congregation, and me-- I was

The hall was surrounded with pictures of Morrie. The room spun, giving me a nauseous feeling. I turned around and flung open the door; I couldn’t bear to be in that room for another second. I went to my dorm and shut the door. I sat in dark emptiness, thinking of everyone who left me in my life: Hoppie, Doc, Nanny, Geel, my mother, and now, Morrie. It was too much to handle. I didn’t move from my spot on the bed for forty-eight hours. I drove myself deeper and deeper into the sadness I felt for the death of my best friend. As I laid there pitying myself I heard a knock on my door. I didn’t get up. The noise grew louder: KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. Still I didn’t move from my throne of self pity. The door gently opened. A man stepped into my room. The first thing I noticed was his size. He cast a shadow that nearly

Ritual Description For my ritual observation I took part in a Jodo Buddhist Sunday service at *******. The temple visited is located in West Los Angele. As I entered the temple I was immediately greeted by a woman and her husband. I explained my reasoning for attending the service, and they were happy to guide me through the service step by step.

They kept coming out of the doors, and I did not think there was ever going to be an end. The smell of the incense was so strong that it overcame plugged up all the rest of my other senses. I tasted, heard, and felt the incense surround me. I fell to my knees and rested my hands on the seat in front of me, and I prayed. I prayed like I had never prayed never have done before. I talked prayed to God about everything that I had been feeling in my life and what I wanted my future life to look like. As the bishop commenced the march around the stadium with the monstrance, I felt a tug toward the golden enclosure. Recognizing that I was on the aisle seat, I then realized I would have the privilege to be the closest to Jesus Christ. As the parade of religious people carrying the monstrance came right in front of me, I gazed at the Body of Christ. The spotlight formed a shimmering glimmer of what I wanted in life. I realized that I wanted to treasure God’s love as long as I could on earth, and the rest of my immortal life in heaven. In that moment I chose against the pressure of society and instead chose a life that would be worth living. A life with the

Stepping down the the ragy beat up old stairs I see everyone on their knees praying for some strange reason so I tried not to make a noise, not even a step later I am shushed and told to go outside. Closing the gigantic door behind me very featherly, I strolled around the 12 and a half acres of property we have, thinking while

The funeral service was short. She watched them lower her best friend’s casket into the ground and made a few realizations :

Around the courtyard, smaller statues in the shapes of frogs, turtles, and other wildlife were placed. This is because a major key principle in Buddhism is the equality of all sentient beings. There are five precepts, or rules to follow, which forbid the harm of living things, lying, stealing, sexual urges, and the use of drugs or alcohol. These precepts are obeyed to guide practicing Buddhists on a path of mindfulness, and to create good karma and eliminate the bad karma. Continuing within the garden I observed a couple of dried lotus flowers on the ground around a pond. From my own previous knowledge, I was aware that the the lotus is an ancient symbol in any sect of Buddhism, as it represents purification. The lotus is a flower that is grown from clouded water, a dark past. Yet it is vibrant and pure, as is seen the potential of any person. This meaning was the most important to me, and I related heavily to it. The idea that any person has the potential to be good

Walking in the tiny chapel, the scent of incense filled his nostrils. Kneeling before the altar, he allowed the soft glow of candlelight to wash over him as he waited patiently for his bride to arrive. Having been mentored in religious matters from an early age, Markus believed there was peace to be found in prayer. The calming atmosphere and opportunity to pray soothed his spirit, enabling him to find his much needed inner calm.

This reminded me of the humility and simplicity that governs monks’ lives and was outlined in the Rule of Saint Benedict. Also, as we entered the church I noted that the seats faced each other, which I thought was different from my own Catholic church where the pews face the front of the church.

As I took off my shoes before entering the main temple before the first worship session began, I began to feel a sense of peace within myself as well those that were attending the worship session. Inside the main temple was a huge statue of Buddha surrounded with white silhouettes of the Lotus flower, which seems to be the symbol of peace. Tens of incense jars filled with sand litter the alter the room. The room smelled like incense, pleasant and peaceful. There were twenty rows of small cushions that were used for kneeling and sitting, and twenty rows of small raised shelves that were used for holding the prayers that were going to be recited during that session. People were filling the room really quickly, and seats were being taken

When the love of his life starts to head to the big boat. He surprised tenth wedding anniversary a cruise with her sister, away from all the kids and worry free. Holding their newborn and watching four other small children they wave goodbye to their wife and mother. As Emma walks up the ramp she notices even from where she is at the whales seem rather large quickly slippy out of her mind she continues to board the boat, with her sister. Emma and Lacy have what seems to be a never ending supply of luggage, naturally they call for the bellboy to come help. A tall muscular, almost godly walks up to the sisters saying “ may I help you with your bags?” Flattered the sisters said “that's okay we will wait for the bellboy.” Little did they know that he was the bellboy! After the godly creature of a man explained who he was, the sisters apologized and still asked for help with their bags. Once Emma and Lacy ended up their room they started laughing so hard. The room started nice and neat after they started laughing together the room looked as if a tornado had gone through the room twice. After the Lacy checked the corridor Emma and her decided to leave their room. Trying very hard to avoid the bellboy they decided to have fun on their cruise, starting at the buffet stacking their plates ten feet high full of food. Perfectly popped popcorn, French Fries, sizzled steak, fresh fruit, and jiggly jello. The sisters stuffed their faces until it was dark outside. Feeling tired

Life is short. You will never know what your destiny would be when you were born. Wealthy? Happiness? Or it was beginning of a nightmare. A beautiful bloom, will fade after flowering. A sparkling star, will fall after flaring. What my mom experienced was separation when she was only eight years old. In these 42 years. She met many hard times, chagrin and disappointed. Just try to keep a family in peace, to realize her dream during childhood.