2011 Student Writing Awards Booklet - Santa Fe Community College

Personal Essay
Honorable Mention
Grace Lucero
Precious Stone
My windshield wipers squeaked rapidly as they swept raindrops off
of my windshield. I continued on driving, unaware of my destination and
oblivious to the passage of time. All I knew was that I would be leaving
once and for all. I began falling asleep at the wheel so I decided to pull
over and call it a night, I took my next left, crossing an orange cattle guard.
I awoke the next morning to the sound of pounding on my window.
Anxiously, I looked out to see what was happening. I recognized my
cousin Billy.
“Billy,” I said opening the door and tackling him to the ground.
“You look hung over or something, what the hell’s wrong with
you” he said.
“I left him, I had to,” I cried.
“Come on, I’ll make you some breakfast,” he said in a disappointed
tone. I followed him to the house passing cattle along the way.They
gawked at me, and I yelled at them.“Stupid cows, get lost!!”
As I walked into the house, I felt the strong presence of my grandfather,
and the hair on my forearms stood up straight.Tiny butterflies
gracefully flew around in my stomach. I remembered having that same
feeling every time I heard of my grandfather’s arrival. He’d been gone
seven years, and the place still reeked of old spice and burnt tortilla. I sat
on his chair, and it took me back to a wonderful time in my life, a time
when I saw the world as a beautiful and safe place. I remembered how he
would rock me to sleep on that chair and how comfortable and secure I
felt when he was around.
“I told you not to marry that son of a bitch. Now come and eat
your breakfast,” Billy shouted. I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a
cup, and poured myself some coffee. I sat at the table while Billy placed a
plate right in front of me.
“It’s strange that I ended up here because I didn’t even know
where I was going,” I said, piling scrambled eggs on my plate.
“Well it’s a good thing you’re here cuz God only knows what
happens to women who sleep in their truck,” he yelled. I picked up my
spoon and shoveled some hash browns with red chile into my mouth.
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