Feeling+Different?

  Nicole R. 7B English 5-16-08    Feeling Different?   A time that I felt weird and "out of place", was when I went with my family on a cruise to Jamaica. It was really sunny and beautiful, and it was really nice because the cruise happened to be right by my birthday. As an early birthday present, my aunt gave me an Abercrombie shirt, and American Eagle shorts. They were really cute and I decided to wear them the day I arrived in Jamaica.

I got off the ship, wearing my new, expensive clothing, and my jewelry, and then I see a man with no legs, arms or teeth, sitting on the side of the road, asking for money. I was so sad to see people who couldn't afford any of our every day "luxuries". Some examples are, taking a shower, brushing your teeth, going to school, and having a nice, warm dinner. I wanted to help him in so many ways, but I didn't know how. I felt very guilty walking off that ship, with all my new clothes, where I’m guessing he hasn't had anything new for a long time.

I didn’t know what to do, so I gave him all of the money I had saved for buying stuff in Jamaica. He looked up at me, and said, "God bless you, and keep you and may he always watch over you in everything you do in life." His words really touched me, and at that moment, I understood the importance of doing a mitzvah; of doing something good to someone, as they once did for you.

I don't know what else I could have or would have done for that man, but if I could have helped him, or any other person like him, I would have. I wouldn't change anything about that trip, for if I did, then I would have met that man, and I could not have helped him in his life at all. My advice to my peers about being different is to take your uniqueness in stride, hold your head up high, and don't be afraid to be different.