Slow Down Hope Ernest

Slow down! That’s what my mom told me when I flew around the driveway corner on my pink bike. Freedom: to ride the sidewalks of Silver Bay whenever I wanted. No matter where I needed to go, I had my pink bike. But that bike could only go so far; that pink bike wasn’t enough. I wanted more.

Slow down! That’s what my dad told me as I backed my grandpa’s 7.3 out of the driveway. That truck could take me further than my pink bike. With a full tank of gas, I could go as far as I wanted, as long as I was home by 10:30. So soon, being able to drive wasn’t enough. I wanted more.

Slow down! That’s what people say when I tell them I’m graduating next year. Slow down! Wow, graduation, walking across the stage in blue gown; something that used to be so far away is now right around the corner. Slow down! One more year. One more year until we pull out of our driveway for the last time, leaving our family, friends, and our childhood behind. Slow down! One more year. One more year until we are deciding what path of life to walk down. Slow down! One more year. One more year until we get the freedom we have been begging for our whole lives. Slow down! Looking back, I wish I would’ve listened; I wish I could just make everything slow down.

Hope Ernest, Grade 11 William Kelley High School, Silver Bay Teaching Artist: Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre