Full Speed Ahead: My Journey with Kit
Cincinnati, OH – 1933When I open my eyes, I’m sitting on the floor in my room, with the camera in my hands. According to the clock, it’s the same moment it was before I left and found myself in 1933. I turn on my laptop, and see the screen, just the way I left it. Blank except for the title at the top: “The Most Important Idea I Learned This Summer.”
I still have to write a paragraph about the most important thing I learned this summer. And now I have too many ideas! I could write about generosity, friendship, courage, or determination. But I decide to write about gratitude.
This summer, I learned to be grateful for all that I have and to make the best of it. That means not taking anything for granted, and realizing that it is our responsibility to use our abilities to make what we have as good as it can be. Don’t whine, but don’t settle! Be creative, pay attention, and don’t be afraid to try these things. You’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish with determination and a little ingenuity. And you’ll be surprised how much fun it can be, too!
I’m so absorbed with my writing that I don’t even realize when Mom comes into my room. She says that someone is here to meet me. She opens the door wider and in bounds the cutest, wiliest puppy I’ve ever seen. He runs up to me and jumps on my lap. When I bend to face him, he smooches me with a wet nose. My heart feels like it’s about to burst with happiness. I thank my mother, and she says the dog is to thank me. She says that she knew that I wasn’t crazy about Camp Mosquito, but I went anyway I made the best of it. And she appreciated that.
I hug my puppy. Now I have someone to keep me company when she’s at work. Mom smiles and says he seems to know that he belongs with me. What will I name him?
I think of Kit, who taught me about generosity, hard work, and gratitude. And I think about Buddy, who kept me company on the adventure. The new puppy wags his tail. This puppy will be named Buddy.