The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXXI

Elle Sullivan
Helen Sullivan, Teacher
Joseph J. Hurley K-8 School, Boston, MA
What’s courage? For me, courage means to get back up when meaningful
things are taken away from you. That’s what I did and have done ever since
I got the test results back that fateful day.
I will never forget being in the sticky, confining doctor’s office. The
uncomfortable silence when the nurse pricked my finger. Seeing my blood
in the test samples. Dreadful. I remember squeezing my mom’s hand so hard
it almost turned purple, like a bruise. Then the waiting, four whole weeks of
painful hope. Hoping that the results would come back in the clear.
When the day finally came, I was sitting in my parents’ room, on their bed.
My mom and I listened attentively to the call that was giving us the results
of my test. All of the sudden, my doctor’s voice faltered as she told me that
I was allergic to eight foods, and sensitive to forty-five more. All of a sudden
my parents’ bed was not so comfortable. I could not swallow, my throat
dry as a desert. Then my ears blocked out the rest, the medications, the
treatment plan. I did not care. All that mattered was that I was allergic to
my favorite foods.
I am a very avid baker and chef, and I have always loved cooking and baking,
as well as all other aspects of food. When I heard these results–that I was
allergic to gluten, dairy, egg, and lots of other things– it slowed me from
baking at first. Later on, I started to get gluten free flour, almond milk, and
other things to replace the foods that I could no longer eat. I made many
interesting desserts and cooked some foods that were also quite delicious.
After the first couple weeks, which were quite hard, everything became just
a little easier. I adjusted to everything, except the feeling of missing out. I
remember everyone eating chocolate cakes for birthdays, or ice cream cones
on really hot days.
“Having to show
courage proves
there is beauty in
the struggle. It
might be hard, but
in the end we will
get over it and
come out of the
experience stronger
than before.”
Now I am used to it. Annoyed, but accustomed to the “I am allergic to gluten,
dairy and egg” every time we eat somewhere else. Explaining to people the
severity of the situation. But I am not only looking at the situation as a curse,
but also as a blessing. I have been able to grow as a chef and baker, as well as
being pushed to my mental boundaries. But overall I realize it could be worse,
and I am thankful I am not in that situation. This is how my courage has stood
out the most, by remaining optimistic in tough times.
No one likes being pushed to their limits, or being out of their comfort
zone. Having to show courage proves there is beauty in the struggle. It might
be hard, but in the end we will get over it and come out of the experience
stronger than before. Even though it might feel hard, we all actually benefit
from showing our courage. I know that even though showing my courage was
not enjoyable, I actually am stronger now because of this experience.
I believe each and every one of us has courage inside. It just takes the right
moment for ours to shine. That’s why, in these moments, I showed courage
and have continued to show courage, when everyone is partaking in activities
and I know it’s not good for me. Courage is when you stay true to yourself
when you don’t want to. Courage needs to be found, not created. It already
exists, it just takes a tough time for it to show.
All the “I’m sorry Elle” from many people. I did not really care. I was so left
out, everyone doing things that I could not participate in. I have been trying
the entire time to look at things differently, to see the glass half full rather
than fully empty. This is when I feel like I showed the most courage. When I
stood back up after what felt like everything had been taken away.
The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond
Volume XXXI
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