Through Her Eyes

The Opening Letter

       Deep inside a forest an old house lay in rubble. Age had eaten the exterior, and time had changed its surroundings. The forest had been there for so long and was now being cut down. Soon buildings would be in its place leaving anything residing in that forest homeless.

       After clearing away the old wood and junk, a few of the men who worked for the company that was paid to tear down the trees decided to sort through the area where the house had once stood. A few items they found were spared. There was a small 4 inch by 4 inch tin box lying on a fallen shelf. The contents inside was a locket, a piece of folded up paper whose words had faded, and a dried flower. Next to the tin box was an old journal. The hard cover was worn and the edges of the pages were tattered and yellow.

       The house that had been in that spot for so long was now only a memory along with the forest which shielded it so well. The only objects remaining were the tin box and the journal which now remained in a local museum.

       There are so many old houses hidden deep away and forgotten, but so many get destroyed. The history of the objects inside goes to waste. This is why the museum wanted the journal and the tin box. It wasn’t only because of their age. It was due to the amazing story of the owner’s life written inside that old journal.

        Alyssa Monroe was born and lived over 100 years ago. She wasn’t anyone special, and the only document found for proof of her existence was her grandparent’s name written with a list of other passengers immigrating to America.

Opening Letter

       I remember like it was yesterday. The days seemed so short, yet now they seem long and everlasting. Old age has now crept in and what are left are memories of times passed. I spend most of my days remembering certain events that happened in my life, both happy and sad. I think about loose ends and how at the time it seems pieces would never fit. As I look back I understand that life can be compared to one big puzzle.  Each person, each piece, and every part link together.

        My name is Alyssa Monroe and I am now an old woman. I know my time left on this earth is shortening. My life, by far, has not been an easy one to live. There have been hills as steep as mountains and valleys with depths as deep as oceans. Many times tears burned my cheeks and loneliness corrupted my being. The lessons I learned throughout my years are what convinced me to write my story. Throughout my many diary entries I searched for the correct pages that spoke my mind, and would tell a life story. As I begin I remind you that anything is possible, but when you are down the light seems so far away!

        Before I begin I should tell you a few things about my childhood. My mother and father was in an accident on the month I was supposed to be born. The accident proved fatal, but the doctors managed to save me before my mother passed away. I’m not even sure if she got a chance to hold me. My grandparents told me that the doctors had to cut me out of her before the accident wounds would kill her. In the end the result was me. Still in these golden years, I think of them and wish I could have at least one memory to cherish.

        Until I was old enough to fend for myself my grandparents took care of me. What little money they had was spend keeping a roof over my head and food in my stomach. When I reached age 12 I was put out on my own forcefully. You’ll read more about why later, but that was one tragic event that changed the course of my life.

        As I give you a look into my past, I would like any future reader who may by chance come across this book to keep an open mind. Many people own old diaries, and often I wonder why I should be one to share. But I do this because my life was hard, and I feel that I had to go through the bad to understand the lessons. Perhaps in sharing my story it will help someone else get through a hard time and continue to fight.

        So we begin my story, a story of adventure, bravery, love, loss, self-defining moments, and friendship. I hope you enjoy.

Love, Alyssa