All over but the Shoutin'

Many people may consider this a sad story, but I instead consider it a life experience. In some ways it was sad, but in many others it was a happy story. Many people live lives like that, and have no chance to share their story like Rick Bragg did. He was able to get in to journalism at a young age, and then eventually get a Pulitzer Prize winner for the New York Times instead of becoming just someone working in the cotton mills. Rick wanted a point in life from a very earlier age, and wanted to do something that would make his momma happy. All children can do things to make their mommas happy but Rick felt it needed to be something really special.

The family went through a lot. The brothers’ father was a true drunk and left the family many times without enough food and warmth, but momma always worked something out for the boys even if they meant she had to go a meal or two without food, or not have pants or a sweater. Parents always say they will do everything they can for you, but this normally means buying something and providing for their children. This women and mother did not have the money to buy the things her children needed, rather she got clothes given to her that had been worn, and food that was old. This is a true example of what a mother will do for you when in time of need.

Later in life as Rick got richer in money, and not in family, he helped his mother grow. He was going to New York to accept the Pulitzer Prize and wanted his mother to go with him. Through a few man-made struggles they made it, and from that time on momma talked about that time she flew to New York. Trips that are taken by people are sometimes not valued as an experience that is special when some people have never even thought about flying on a plane or going on a trip.

It was a very good book to read to understand that not only blacks lived in the south and were poor but there were also whites. Having this book being written in the last 20 years, allows young adults to react to it and understand that many people live this story daily but get unnoticed by society, because they had nothing special in their lives happen. You do not have to have an eventful life to live a good life. Like Rick and his family, they did not have a eventual life with money, but they did have an eventful life dealing with a father that was drunk and struggling to stay warm in the winter and having food to eat. I have never dealt with thinking about if I was going to be warm on a winter night when I sleep, or if there is going to be enough food for my whole family on the table tonight. I respect all those people that live with these worries and struggles on a daily life and am thankful for all I do have.

Mary Mebane

After I read and thought about the story from Mary Mebane, I began to understand what I think she wanted to get across to readers. It wasn't the part about her mother not giving her a smile for the simple things Mary did, but rather how Mary acted even though her mother may not have realized how she felt. Mary wanted to have a special role as she was growing up. Every day she was told to make dinner, and then wash the dishes. Mary decided that she wanted to learn how to play the piano. Without help from her mother, Mary found herself a piano teacher, and asked to make arrangements to work for her lessons. She caught on quick and played in a recital for only the best ones. Each night as she was cooking, she also read, and some nights she got distracted by her book or magazine and forgot about her cooking. This one night it made her mother snap, her mother was so frustrated with her that she told Mary, she was going to have her father whip her. Mary was close to her father, even though her father was sick. Her father allowed her to help him with little tasks. With the frustration at her mother, Mary decided to leave. I think Mary wants to get across to the readers that you don't have to have someone telling you how to do everything. Some things must be done with your own head. It stands out to me, that Mary was not a happy young women while her mother fussed at her and never gave her a smile, but Mary did not let this get the best of her, she continued to do what made her smile. This was why she picked up piano lessons, because one day she said, "I am going to be a famous piano artist."

There is nothing in this story that lines up with my experience in life. I can not imagine doing some of the things I do, like dancing and playing a musical instrument and not having my mother stand behind me. There are many people in this world that are like Mary, and they have to be strong for what makes them happy, not for something that makes someone else smile. For Some, like Mary, music makes all better, and because of this, Mary was able to get out of the house some time of the day, and go and learn something that was part of her. She was able to work for the time she was taught and then show others and let them give her smiles of how well she played piano.

Looking back at my journal that I took while reading the book, I can see that I did not fully understand the true point of what I was reading. I read the words on the page, but did not dig deeply into what was on the page. Mary wants us to read not just what is on the page, but also everything that is written from her heart, in between the lines, and to get inside of her as you read the story. I went back and read it again, and was able to dive into the words and sentences to get a true feel of the story.

Introducing myself.

Hi I am Elizabeth Norris, and I am a freshman. I am looking into possible a double major in elementary education and special education and maybe a minor in communications. Yes, it is going to be a boat load, but I am ready. I enjoy being outdoors and especially love dogs. I am known to volunteer a lot with non-profits and helping out in school systems. I am looking forward to this class.