The Climb

            Death is a funny thing. It’s fascinating yet dark at the same time. It draws you in with the mystery of what is after; however, the unknown creates a hesitance.

Woolf explores the negativity and darkness of death in The Death of the Moth. She had been struggling with depression throughout her adult life and committed suicide to end her life.

In the piece she writes in the perspective of a human observing the struggle of a moth. It has to put so much work and effort in to survive yet it dies. She watches as the struggle ends and comes to a conclusion, “Death is stronger than I am”.

Life. It can be a gift or a burden. If you look at it from a positive perspective, it is to be cherished because every waking moment is a time to, well, live. I know it’s a cliché but live life to the fullest. You never know when you’re going to die so live as if you’ll die tomorrow but dream as if you’ll live forever.

The burden of life is the struggle. That feeling when it feels like nothing is going your way and it just feels like the end. But it’s not. Like Miley Cyrus says, “There's always gonna be another mountain/I'm always gonna wanna make it move/Always gonna be an uphill battle/Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose". Basically, you have to keep moving forward. It's not always about the destination but about the journey.

Be positive. Be the light.

It's Time

                Anxiety takes over my whole being as I hear the Star Spangled Banner. Two teams divided however striving for the same goal: the ticket to the Olympic Gold Medal match. I’m on the edge of my seat awaiting the whistle for the start of the game.

Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England

            “Well it’s a wonderful day here at Old Trafford. The players are on the pitch, ready for the start. The United States take on Canada in the women’s semi final Olympic match.”

            The 22^nd minute hits. My heart stops, visualizing the play before it even happens.

            “Tancredi settles the ball. Quick feed to Sinclair. Touch and shot. And it gets past Hope Solo. Canada now with a one to nothing lead.”

            I let out a small cry of defeat. I can’t lose hope. This is our time. The rest of the first half flashes by in a blur, the US can’t get anything on the board. The teams go into their separate locker rooms while I sit and wait for the second half to commence.

I have faith. I believe.

            “Now onto the second half, hopefully the US can create something up top to get a goal.”

            I watch as the US begin to connect their passes and build from the back. Cheap shots are thrown around. This game will not come easy. I sit and wait in desperation for a goal. The US has a corner kick. I pray that something can come of it. Megan Rapinoe places the ball right where she wants it. She strides back, raises her hand, runs forward and kicks the ball.

            “And the USA gets a goal. Megan Rapinoe scored it.”

            I jump into the air with triumph, not being able to hold the excitement in.

            I have faith. I believe.

            Now that there is an even playing field, we have to concentrate on winning the next goal. However it doesn’t happen. Christine Sinclair gains another point for Canada by a header goal. I can’t lose hope.

            Two minutes later. The US scores another. Megan Rapinoe, once again, taking the ball, traps it, a little touch to the right of the defender and hits the ball perfectly. The ball flies right by the goalies fingertips.

            However, Sinclair gets another goal and a hat trick for the game.

            I have faith. I believe.

            My emotions are on a never ending rollercoaster.

            Wambach, somehow, ties the game up. It’s 3-3. The game has ended. There has to be a winner. The players are fatigued. It has been a solid 90 minutes of playing time. The game will now go into overtime.

An additional 30 minutes are played. No one has been able to put one in the back of the net. The referee’s add on three minutes for the time lost for an injury.

            My heart is racing, thinking this game will go into penalty kicks.

            I have faith. I believe.

            Then the unthinkable happens.

            “One goal wins it now. O’Reilly. Morgan in the box. Wambach in the box. Here comes the cross – OH! IT’S IN! Alex Morgan has done it!”

            Alex Morgan scored a header goal in the 123^rd minute of the game.

            I have faith. I believe.