From Rock Bottom To The Summit

Dalai's note:  My son, Dalai, Jr., wrote this essay for his Freshman writing class. I thought my readers might like it. From Rock Bottom to the Summit            The guide, Matt, mumbles something to us about a decent view around the corner as we shoulder our packs. While the rest of us are still gulping water, he takes off down the trail, leaving us stumbling through ankle-twisting sand under the relentless Outback sun. I lean forward as the trail slopes sharply upward and the ground becomes solid rock and the sun slowly disappears. We are in a narrow crevice surrounded on either side by high red rock walls. Up ahead, I see a spot of daylight breaking through the shade, but I put my head down and continue to fight up the slope, the heavy pack pressing hard on my already bruised shoulders and hips.            Seven months earlier, I sit in my sophomore US History Class, staring blankly down at the failing essay on my desk, my second of the month. I don’t understand how it continues to happen. My teacher, tells me in my report card I am “lazy and complacent.” Maybe he’s right. All I want to do is sleep. I can barely keep my eyes open long enough to do my homework, let alone study for tests. I hear my parents late at night whisper in hushed tones as they try to make sense of how their once history-loving, straight-A student can now barely scrape a B- a...
Source: Dalai's PACS Blog - Category: Radiologists Source Type: blogs