Life On Death

Summer Camp

Vanessa-

I was at summer camp. My favorite camp, rock climbing.

All the skill it requires to do it. I started when I was three. I have done it ever since then. For 13 years of my life.

Mastering it was very hard, but learning the techniques was the hardest part. Before I was this advanced I had no idea that anyone could climb nearly upside down. It looked like flying to me. At least that's what I thought until my mother tried it.

* * *

I remember that day at the hospital. Waiting by my unconscious mother. Waiting for the news. She was in a coma and had broken her collarbone. I waited weeks before they had any idea of what to do. When they gave me the news I was horrified. If she didn't wake up in the next three days, I would lose her.

The next day I prayed. All day, hoping for my mother's survival. She had done so much for me. She picked me up when I was young, guided me, and been my whole life. I knew if she died I would not be able to go on.

On the first hour of the third day, she died. Her pulse was no longer there yet I was still there. I was still alive. I knew I would not be able to continue but somehow I did. I mourned her for all of my life, cried almost every day. On days like today where I was rock climbing, I was especially sad. I tried to think nothing of it because I did not want to ruin my time.

I snapped out of my daze, not realizing I was halfway up the mountain already.

My friend Angela called to me, "You OK there Vanny?"

"Yes," I replied, "I was just thinking about my mother." I muttered the last part so Angela didn't hear it.

She climbed over to me and gave me a hug, "I know when you climb you think about your mother. I know you are still sad about that, but you should try to perk up and enjoy the climb today!"

We decided to race up the rest of the mountain. Angela always knew how to cheer me up. But as we got to the summit, my rope got cut on a jagged rock.

I fell.