Once More to the Lake

Just as the author of the story, I have a lake house in a small town that my family enjoy visiting every summer. It is in the middle of nowhere in South Carolina and nothing could be more perfect for me. If you walk out the front door, you will see an acre of empty land backed by miles and miles of forest. If you go out the back, you will see the real value maker of the house, Lake Bowen. This lake is where I have had some of my best moments in my life. Whether it is riding around in my canoe fishing, just as they had done in the reading, or it is going out and tearing the lake up on the jet ski, I always seem to be at peace there. I am always at one with myself, and for those who know me, that's very difficult to achieve. This house is like my drug, my addiction, in the way that I love it. I keep coming back for more because it is just so amazing a place and it has me hooked. This place is my dream and my getaway, and I only hope that my children can one day see it how I did.

The Price We Pay

Courage. Such a simple word, yet it represents so much. If described as courageous, one is being largely complimented. If their actions are courageous, then they are considered a hero. Courage is defined as undeterred by danger or fear. This definition is good, but there are many ways to be courageous, but that same lack of constraint may also just be a form of idiocy. There are many ways to be considered courageous. Some people go to war and fight for their country. Others keep it a little more simplistic and do smaller acts of courage, for example, confronting their problems head on or taking responsibility for their problems. There are many ways to show and use courage, but I believe the most courageous act possible is sacrificing one's own life for the safety and well-being of one or more people. In The Price We Pay, Harry Ramos made that exact sacrifice. Saving one person was not enough for him. Harry Ramos cared so much for the well-being of others that he went back into the towers, despite the fire and damage, to try and save more people. He was asked not to, but was undeterred and did not for a second think to get himself to safety until everyone else was safe first. An act like that is probably one of the most courageous things one could do. He was selfless and helpful, and although he was a brave and courageous man, this goes to show that regardless how courageous one is, death is still an option, for courage is a great thing to have, but even then, we are all still just humans.