Writing is a sense of comfort and is reliable to almost everyone. Everyone can use it, you don't have to buy writing. Writing gives you freedom to express yourself, whether it's the good or the bad, the nasty or sad, writing is a safe space to let your heart out. You can create many different stories from fantasies to plays to poems. Writing does it all. It also helps with mental health. Sometimes you need a little self care and that's where a journal helps with that. Writing your anger and feelings away, without having drama or fights, that's the best kind of writing. There are absolutely no rules, but to have FUN! Without fun, there wouldn’t be any stories or adventures and we need that. 

Visual Essay 

 Hi, my name is Jennie and I'm blind. I have an older sister named Elena and she just turned 16 years old. I also have a little brother named Nick and he's 10 years old. My parents are named Victor and Hailey. I was born with eye problems when I was little and it has since affected me and everyone. Instead of my mother going to work and making money for the family, she had to take care of me and my wellbeing. 

 Every single time I would hear her crying and praying to get my vision better but it was no use. Even though I'm blind I could feel her presence and hear her every word. It made me so emotional to "see" her in this state, but I couldn't do anything but see darkness all the time. It got to the point where I was sick and tired of not having eyesight.

There was a very exciting party going on for my sister. It was the very first time I've ever been to a party. My sister just turned 16 and I'm only 12 years old, acting like I know everyone here. It's definitely not for me, but since it's my sister's birthday I have to be there for her.

The party was going great considering I was actually going. I wasn't allowed for certain reasons, like I would hold my parents back from talking to family members or friends. I initially understood why I couldn't go, but I slowly felt left out after they agreed it was best for me to stay during my aunt's wedding. I couldn't take it anymore, so that's when the shift changed. My sister's party had all sorts of music and I could hear people dancing. There were many different foods and treats but I chose to not have any.

I was wearing this jean jacket over my t-shirt with a pair of leggings. My parents had brought a present for my sister, and since she had a license now she can drive. My parents bought her a nice red ford car, at least that's how my parents explained it to me. When they were surprising her with the car, I heard screams from her and so much joy and excitement. That's when I knew she loved the car. She couldn't wait to drive it, everyone was shook by how pretty it was. For the rest of the party we had karaoke and ate some cake, but I couldn't help but feel happy and uncomfortable at the same time. It's like my body is shutting down. My sense of feeling left my body. I felt weak. Unable to stand.

I staggered up to my parents and was about to tell them my situation, but I couldn't let them know since they were having fun and celebrating Elena. So, I just stayed silent and covered up. It didn't take long for them to notice what was going on, they asked me many questions and that's when I blurted out that there's something wrong and that I couldn't feel anything. They panicked and packed up to take me to the hospital. They told my sister who was having a fun time with her friends, instead of being angry that I ruined her day, she was worried that this was going to be serious. My parents told my relatives about the situation and they agreed to take care of everything while we were away.

When we arrived at the hospital, the nurses came rushing in and asked various questions. I was very nervous and anxious and all I wanted to know was "What's wrong with me, and can you fix me?". As soon as the doctors showed up they examined me and found that there was something wrong with my eyes. I simply told them that I've been blind my whole life. They asked a serious question asking if there were any signs of itchy eyes or any kind of feeling whatsoever and I answered that I've felt a weird sensation, almost like a feather is tickling my eyes.

Their expression turned from calming to terrified. I could sense the terror in my parents eyes and that's what scares me. The doctors didn't even tell me anything. All they did was ask if they could bring more doctors and nurses in. So, they started to gather around me and my parents and I could tell by the atmosphere that this wasn't a good thing. The silence in the room made me really scared, there wasn't any sound, just pure silence.

I couldn't take it anymore so I screamed saying "What's wrong with me!" "Why are you guys not talking?". My parents cried sobbing and I didn't know why, all I wanted was answers but they weren't giving any. My doctor took my hand and said "Jennie, I'm sorry but today's your last day". Deep in my heart I knew what he meant but I just kept a straight face knowing if I had cried my parents would have cried harder. I didn't want to suffer in a hospital bed so I asked my doctor if I could go to my favorite place one last time with my family. He agreed and wished me the best of luck.

As we exited the hospital I didn't want to talk because that would lead to sadness and I didn't want my parents to be sad but happy. I wanted to talk to my siblings and tell them the horrible news myself. As we arrived at my sisters, after party with several family members and relatives I started to feel upset. Upset at the fact that I won't be seeing them for a long time and I will miss them continuously. I held my tears till I couldn't. My parents saw the emotional state I was in and asked me if I wanted to do this. I answered "it's my last day on this planet, mom, dad I want to do this". They helped me walk to where everyone was at, I told them to kill the music and that I have some really important news.

As the music died down it was completely silent. "Today's my last day on Earth, I have a couple hours to my name". As I said , Elena ran to me and sobbed as Nick did the same. The emotions in this room were filled with sorrow, sadness and anger. I however, didnt cry because if they saw me they wouldn't stop. I requested that only my parents and siblings shall go to my favorite spot with me for one last time. When we arrived I immediately fed the fishes with cereal instead of the fish food. After I fed them I went to my favorite tree, the weeping willow tree. I love the big green branches filled with green leaves. The rocks that are perfect for skipping and the soft grass as delicate as ever. I will miss this place. I wanted to have a photo of me and my family with this tree so I asked my dad and he offered to take one.

After that fun day of laying down in the grass, I started to feel extremely exhausted. I told my parents and they knew my time was almost done. They told me how great I was as a daughter and to not be scared of what is happening after I pass. I told them I will wait for them when it's their time. They started tearing up but I told them not to cry and to smile and be happy instead. I told them there was a big white light and that I was going through. "Goodbye and thank you for everything". That was the last thing I said to my family.

                                                         The end.