Eulogy for Grandma

This eulogy is a tribute to my grandma, who passed away in 1996.  I never did have the privilege to meet her, but her memory will always be in my mind and heart.

My mom always told me that I would have been extremely close to my grandma, and I understand why through the stories my mom shares with me.  My grandma was an avid sports fan, especially when it came to ASU.  She could out-talk anyone, male or female, with her statistics, standings, and facts on sports.  She had season tickets to every ASU game and blamed every ASU loss on the referee.  My grandma was also a very loving person, which at times got her in trouble.  Her younger brother, John, was being bullied at school by another boy.  My grandma walked to school with John, found the boy, and completely beat him up and knocked him down a hill.  The boy never bothered John again.  The other stories I hear of my grandma show that she was strong-willed, fun, social, and caring.

I wish I had the opportunity to meet this incredible woman, but she will always be in my heart.

Spring Break

In all honesty, my spring break was fairly uneventful.  My spring break started out by playing in two very difficult soccer games.  Because my soccer team is competing in a league called National Premiere League, the teams we played were from New Mexico.  After two challenging games, we ended up not being able to pull out a win against this high competition.  I spent the next few days simply relaxing, hanging out with friends, and going to soccer practice.  The most exciting event of the break happened on Wednesday: I got my wisdom teeth out.  It was not a fun experience, but I am glad that it is over with.  I spent the remainder of break dealing with my teeth: taking the medication, eating soft foods, sleeping, and avoiding conversation.

I am looking forward to many things between now and the end of May, specifically events related to soccer.  I have multiple tournaments coming up, and one major tournament is in Vegas.  The soccer tournaments in Vegas are always a blast because it is like taking a vacation with 18 of your best friends.  Also, I am really looking forward to State Cup.  State Cup is when all the best soccer teams in the state compete in a three week tournament to determine the best team.  Last year, my team lost in the championship, so we got second.  I am so excited to have another chance and hopefully get first.

Independence is

            What comes to mind when faced with the word independence?  One may think of July 4^th, Independence Day for the United States.  For others, it means reasoning and thinking for oneself without being influenced by other people.  It could also be a city that one is familiar with in Kansas and Missouri or a high school in Arizona.  One may argue it is being financially stable.  Others feel independence is that feeling of pride that one feels about a country.  The word dependent developed sometime from 1375-1425 in England; in the early 1600s, in was added to dependent in order to form the word independence (“Independent”).  So, some believe that independence is simply used as a negation for another word.  Although independence could be all of those concepts and places to some, it has a more complex meaning to most others: it is the stages of life.  It is important to understand independence in the context of life’s stages because it creates a sense of appreciation for the progress one makes in life.

Independence is verbal and nonverbal skills.  The first sign of independence in someone’s life is when a baby acquires motor skills and the ability to communicate.  The baby’s entire world changes.  The baby can now voice or demonstrate his or her emotions, wants, and needs and explore the world around him or her.  This is a major milestone of independence because now the baby can communicate what he or she likes and wants, instead of others deciding for him or her.

Independence is preschool.  Attending school for the first time is another milestone in achieving independence.  For the first time in life, one is thrust into a situation without his or her parents.  The person will develop intellectually and physically by exploring environments and other children independent of his or her parents and siblings.  This is an important stage because children will learn the necessary and basic skills that will be the foundation for the rest of their lives.  Although tying shoes, learning not to hit, and playing with play dough may seem trivial, it is all a part of learning independence. 

            Independence is a driver’s license.  Being able to drive allows the person to travel wherever he or she wishes.  This is the first step that one takes in life where all the responsibility rests on his or her shoulders and there are not others around to aid.  When receiving my driver’s license at the Scottsdale DMV, I was not only handed a card with my picture, name, and age; I was handed freedom, responsibility, and trust.  When driving on my own, I have to get directions, decide how long it takes to get there, when I need to fill up with gas, be a defensive driver, and to always follow the rules of the road.  It can be overwhelming to think about.  However, I felt a great sense of independence with these new opportunities given to me. 

            Independence is college.  Attending college is a major step toward independence.  Many students are living on their own for the first time in their life, possibly a great distance from their home and parents.  Learning to clean up, do laundry, keep track of schoolwork, and get to class on time are important milestones in the journey of independence.  This can be overwhelming and incredibly frightening.  However, students soon come to the realization that they can successfully survive on their own.  Exposure to new ideas, cultures, and experiences will spur growth towards adulthood and total independence. 

            Independence is a job.  Total independence comes from being financially stable.  When one can provide for oneself financially, he or she does not have to rely on others.  With a new job comes a new opportunity to grow and think for oneself.  Choosing a field of interest and attaining a job means making decisions, learning new information and concepts, and forming different relationships.  This seems overwhelming, but it also creates a sense of accomplishment and gratification.  Although one may have a boss, he or she has more control and independence over what to spend his or her days doing.  People also derive a sense of self-esteem, self-worth, and self-realization, which is crucial to their well being. 

            Independence is a house.  Purchasing a house is the final step to total and complete independence.  A house is an enormous investment and the process of acquiring a home can be incredibly scary and intimidating.  However, a house is the crucial last step in the journey of independence.  Within the walls of a home, one is completely free from all others.  He or she feels great privacy, security, and pride in homeownership.  Purchasing a home is the greatest expenditure one will ever make, but it also gives one total independence. 

            In the stages of life discussed so far, independence slowly overcomes dependence; however, life is often referred to as a circle and most people will slowly lose their independence and become more dependent upon others as they age.  It is usually mandatory for many people to retire from their job once they have reached a certain age, thereby losing one source of independence.  Financial problems due to health issues associated with advancing age often requires selling a house and moving in with relatives or to an assisted living center.  Other skills that brought independence in early years—verbal and nonverbal skills, motor skills, and driving a car—all decline, sometimes at alarming rates.  It seems everything that is gained in early life will eventually be lost.

            Although independent is defined in the dictionary as “not influenced by others,” it has a much more complex and deeper meaning (“Independent”).  Independence is gained through the major milestones that one will reach throughout the journey of life.  It is vital for every person to understand these stages of life in the context of independence because it gives one a greater appreciation for each stage that one will experience.  At each milestone, one gains new opportunities for independence and feels gratitude for this growth.  One is also eager and excited for the next step in life in which independence is achieved.  All people need to feel grateful and content in the present because life changes quickly and independence can suddenly be taken away at any time.

Blog Title: Arcadia

After struggling for days to pick an appropriate title for my blog, I decided on naming it “Arcadia.”  It is short and simple, but means so much to me in several different ways.  Arcadia is the neighborhood that I have grown up in.  Although I have not lived my entire life in this neighborhood (I moved here in first grade), it is the only place that truly feels like home. 

The aspect of the neighborhood that is most meaningful to me is my family: some of the best memories I have with my parents and brothers are connected to this house.  I have two older brothers, Alex and Matt, who have both left for college on the east coast.  Although I am not able to see them except holidays and summers, I still feel close to them because of this neighborhood.  By simply looking around the house and the neighborhood, I can picture all the great memories that the three of us made together.  I cherish those memories and am grateful to Arcadia for helping to keep those memories alive.  Also, my parents have a huge connection to this neighborhood because this is where they grew up as well.  In fact, my mom’s childhood home is only one short block away. 

Besides the great connection to my family that the word Arcadia prompts, it also reminds me of my childhood friends and the friends I have continued to gain as I have grown older.  Some of my closest friends live or have lived in Arcadia, and I am thankful that I am able to see them or be reminded of them every day. 

Arcadia is important to me because it serves as a link; a link not only to my childhood, but also my friends and family.  This is why I decided that Arcadia is a fitting name for my blog.