Prompt A: Last Words

I wish I had more time—there is not enough of it to do all that I want, all that I dreamed of. I will never meet the love of my life. I will never look into my children's eyes. I will never know if I am worthy of these gifts and I will cease to be in my loved ones' lives. I don't know how to say good-bye, so maybe saying what needs to be said will suffice.
I feel it is important to know that I have no regrets in my past. I would not be who I am if everything that has happened in my life, didn’t. I only regret not having a future. The plans unfulfilled and the dreams deferred taunt me. Yet I know that because I am happy--happier than I can say I’ve been--I do not need for the years I have lived to have more substance. I have experienced a quality I had not afforded to this life and have been amazed by the blessings I have received.
There is so much beauty all around me. I feel the power of God in every living thing I see. The fact that we can speak, learn, hurt, and love is testimony that He lives. I cannot express the comfort I take in knowing that because I am able to doubt, to think for myself, to communicate these thoughts to others and have them relate, there must be a greater design.
Art and creation have always fascinated me. We all have this spark within us to make something original, unique to us that others will view and connect with. Just putting something out in public is satisfying to human nature. I have caused change. I created something that forced someone to stop, and want to look deeper. I wish I have more time to make more; to have a mark attributed to me. I wish my affection could be more apparently seen in my work. We must all take the time to produce what is meaningful to us. Not what we think others will envy or want from us, but something that we are proud of and holistically represents all that we are, or even just a facet. Setting aside the moments to indulge our spirits makes life more than bearable; it causes us to become fruitful and the creations we produce nourish our souls.
I am happier when I write. I feel a deeply rooted peace when I can write down what I have been ruminating on or the ideas clustering themselves in my head. The mind is too often filled--my mind is much too busy for me to take pleasure in the single moments. Writing, performing, drawing, singing release all my energies into a focus. I breathe easier when I let things go, when I let my true nature override my hard swallowed etiquette. I am less critical of myself and therefore, I give more of myself. I feel like I am emulating my Savior when I do what I love. We all need to use our talents to their full and infinite potential. It is when we shine in our own capacities that we can fully embrace our divinity.
The most important message I can convey is drink it all in. There is no sweet without the bitter and no love without pain. I hope you know I love you.

Prompt B

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, literacy is “The quality or state of being literate; knowledge of letters; condition in respect to education, esp. ability to read and write.” This definition seems to fit but I do not feel like it covers all the aspects of literacy. I believe literacy is not only being able to read, but actually reading. Reading many different genres and learning from each piece of reading, even if that something is very trivial. Literacy is when you read because you want to, because you get to escape for awhile. Literacy is writing outside of school, even just a personal history in a journal. Literacy is being able to critically analyze the world around you because of the things you have read and written. Literacy is being able to hold an intelligent conversation about the issues of the society in which you live. Maybe literacy could even be applied to the arts and being able to appreciate them. Listening to an orchestra, watching a Broadway play, or enjoying a painting. Literacy is an overall knowledge of the world around you and the beautiful things in it.

I am grateful for the basic definition of literacy given by the Oxford English Dictionary because it makes life that much more enjoyable. One morning I watched a talk show (I believe it was the Ellen Degeneres show) where one of the guests was a 75 year old man who had recently become literate. After 74 years in this world he decided it was time that he learned how to read and write. Previous to this he struggled on a daily basis to complete the tasks most of us do not think twice about. He talked about the hassle it was to go to the grocery store. I never realized how much reading is involved in going shopping. I look at the signs above the aisles to see where the item I am looking for is located. Rather than be embarrassed by asking for help, he would walk around the store until he found the item. He said some trips took him three hours to complete his shopping. There were so many things that we take for granted, I was amazed at his life. I am grateful that I know how to read and write so I can do these simple tasks without thinking twice about them. I am grateful for my deeper definition of literacy as well. I am grateful that I can enjoy reading a book. There is a comfort in snuggling up in your bed and getting lost in the pages of a book. I really believe that the arts give us a chance to escape from the realities and stresses of life. I am grateful that I can be informed about my surroundings and the issues that are present in our society. Being literate is an important part of being a productive member of society. It impacts the way we live our lives and the way that we view the world around us. I think literacy brings a new level to the routine of life.

519 words

Lilly Pyle

Final Blog Assignment

A. What are your last words? What would you write if you knew your time was up (in life, in a relationship, in a place, etc.)? What would you notice in the world around you? What is important for others to hear?

B. What is literacy? Expand your definition. Write on why you are thankful for literacy and how it impacts your life.

C. Write the obituary of our class. Personify what you learned. Praise it, excuse it, justify it. Tell its story and bid it a loving or condoling farewell.