A Scholarship Essay Prompt Asks Me

Frankenstein - Sara Ledyard

Frankenstein. Created by a madman. Made to be feared. Mismatched. Disproportionate. Green. A freak. He was programmed to be evil before he had a choice: doomed to a fate void of love. He was meant to be scary. Meant to be evil. In a way, we’re all frankensteins. Everyone has felt like a freak. For me, it’s my above average height that strangers never fail to notice. For some, it’s their weight. For others, it’s their facial features. But unlike Frankenstein, we aren’t doomed to a loveless future. Because one day, someone is going to come along and love every part of you that makes you feel like a freak.

Fried Onions and Poinsettias – Sara Ledyard

I love the way you love fried onions. Cheesesteak? Extra fried onions! Burger? Extra fried onions! You loved them. I know I’ll never be able to look at a fried onion without thinking of you. Dad got dinner. Cheesesteaks with fried onions. That wasn’t on purpose, But I ate my meal and thought of you.

Poinsettias. Whenever Mom and Renee and I went to the grocery store during spring, The first thing we would go to see is the poinsettias. They always made my Mom’s eyes light up. Their beautiful red petals of varying sizes, The deep green stems, The most simple, yet most beautiful flower. You are my poinsettia. We couldn’t see them without thinking of bringing you some. So, Mom put a few in the cart and we carried on. Every single spring. I’ll miss the way you loved poinsettias. When Uncle Micheal told me that you stared in awe at the poinsettias we brought you, It made me feel closer to you.

I love the way you loved fried onions. I love the way you loved poinsettias. I’ll never forget the way you loved those things. Though you must leave, For God is escorting you to Heaven, I will remember you with fried onions and poinsettias.