There is a saying that most of you probably know. It goes like this: "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
This saying has become very real to me in the last few weeks through my eldest daughter, Sophia.
I recently received an e-mail from her language arts teacher, regarding a recent writing assignment she had handed in and it was titled "OMG (Oh My Goodness)." The content of the e-mail was as follows: "Hey Susan. OMG! Did you read Sophia's eulogy speech? She totally made me cry. That girl is extremely talented!!!!!! Must be her fabulous teacher. Seriously, I'd love to take the credit, but I'm sure her mom has more to do with it!!!!!!! Fantastic writer!!!!!"
Being a writer and one who expresses myself through the written and spoken word, I'm sure you can imagine how overjoyed I was to receive such a lovely e-mail and from a teacher. I was coming to understand, that my daughter, at the tender age of 12, was indeed a gifted writer.
So, today I would like to share her assignment with you. The class assignment was to write a eulogy about something (thankfully not someone). They had to pick something and write about it and then present in front of the class. Sophia wrote ever so beautifully, and with poise and elegance presented her writing to her class.
Through her writing, I have come to understand the saying about the apple and the tree so much more. I don't think this little apple has fallen far from the tree and maybe I, as an apple, didn't fall far from the tree of my origin either, both of my parents are accomplished writers. It must be in the genes. I hope you enjoy!
The Difference Between a House and a Home
By Sophia Sohn: March 12, 2011
It was a simpler time, when all I needed to be entertained for hours at a time was a piece of paper and a crayon. Like most five-year-olds, my drawings were usually pink and they were usually of princesses, fairies and castles. They were drawings that showed who I was and who I wanted to be. I was going to be a princess and I would have a gorgeous prince, and we would live together in our castle.
In reality my castle was located on 18 Old Glenhaven Road, Sydney, Australia. There were no turrets, no moats, no knights in shining armour and there was absolutely nothing pink about this house. I never realized how much I loved my house until it was gone.
It wasn't a huge house. It wasn't little either. The simplicity of it was what made it beautiful. Maybe I was the only person that thought it was beautiful. Maybe I was the only one who enjoyed the swing set outside. Maybe I was the only one who liked my small wooden cubby house. Maybe other people didn't appreciate it the way I did. If people didn't like my house then they sure didn't show it. My house was never empty.
Maybe that's because it isn't just a house. My house was an actress and as a little girl I often had friends over, and my house soon became my castle, my secret lair, and once it even became the school from High School Musical (the movie).
The most important role it ever had was as my home.
Sure it wasn't my first house, but it was definitely my first home. It was where our family started. It was a home that would forever hold some of our most precious memories. It was where we laughed together, cried together, celebrated together, mourned together and learned to love each other.
We are gathered here today to honour this house that soon became three little children's home, their safe haven, the place they would run to if anything went wrong. The place where these little kids would grow up. This home has become part of my family. I grew up with it, and alongside my parents, it watched me grow; it watched me go from a pink room to a green room; it watched me go from a Size 1 shoe to a Size 4 shoe;, it watched me laugh and watched me cry; and it watched me run to it and it watched me run away from it.
I've come to a point in my life where I've had to learn to give up things, and sacrifice things for other people. When my parents told me that we were moving, I didn't want to let go. Personally, I think that letting go is one of the hardest things that we as people have to do. No person in the world is perfect. Nobody wants to let things go, and neither did I, but it was something that I had to do.
I loved my house. It was special. It was comforting. And it was home. That's why it will always have a spot in my heart. Thank you and always remember "A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams."
Thank You.
Susan J Sohn
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blogtalkradio.com/susanjsohn
