The following is an unedited paper written for Del Campo High School's Mr. Wagner's 2009 AP English. We were tasked with visiting local art galleries and to chronicle of our experience. I chose my grandfather's gallery in Paradise, California.
I often sit alone in the “courtyard” here in this place and say to myself, “What am I doing here?” “How did I get here in the middle of Sacramento?” I guess I have to remember my former life in Paradise, to answer these questions. Our house was burned to the ground – only ashes left – hard as it is to forget, I have to relive it to tell this story!! Arlene, my faithful wife of 67 years and I had lived in our beloved town of Paradise, built our own home, had lived in Paradise for 58 years – raised 3 wonderful kids, where shall I begin? My life is a series of miracles ...
Authenticity in a person is something I value highly. Ever since I was little, I remember my grandma being described as the “salt of the earth.” Of course, being so little I really didn’t know what the phrase meant ...
California is on fire.
If you live here, specifically in Northern California, where it has been poor air quality for the last month, a glance outside and you will see the seemingly apocalyptic state we are living in. Last week, the sun was a bright red orb hanging in the crimson sky.
These fires spark up memories of the devastation two years ago ...
