C is for Courage
Featuring: Roy Desoto
Thanks to all who have been reading this series and to the people that have left PMs or reviews. Your support is greatly appreciated! Also a big thank you to my beta reader.
"Dad can you help me with my homework?" 10-year-old Chris Desoto asked his father, Roy, after supper that night. His teacher had given him a one-paragraph essay to write and he wanted to make sure it was perfect before he turned it in.
"Sure son," Roy smiled down at his son. He didn't get to help with homework a lot, with his shift schedule being crazy a lot. Any chance he got was a real blessing for him.
"Mrs. Walsh gave us an essay to write about someone in our life. We each had to pick a trait out of a hat and write about the trait in an essay. Can you read it over dad?"
Chris handed Roy the paper and Roy began to read what his son had written.
Answer the following questions about the trait you picked in one paragraph. What is the dictionary definition of the trait? What does your trait mean to you? Why is it important to have this trait? Use an example from your life. Name someone in your life you think possesses this trait. Describe this person and tell why you think he/she possesses this trait.
My Dad
By: Chris Desoto
Selected Trait: Courage
The dictionary definition of courage is "the ability to do something that frightens one." To me, courage means exactly that. It is important to have courage because then you get to try new things in life. I was really scared when I saw the car flying along the track, and almost didn't go on it. After going on it, though I was really happy because it was a lot of fun. An example of when I have used courage is when I went on my first roller coaster with my dad. Someone that I think has courage is my dad. My dad is a fireman/paramedic for Los Angeles County. Every time he goes to work he puts his life in danger. My parents don't like that I know this, because they want to protect me, but I understand that this is a part of my dad's job. My dad and his partner risk their lives every day to keep us safe. I know they have to be scared. Many of their friends on the job have died. Yet they do it each time they have shift without complaining. I wish I could have as much courage as my dad.
Roy looked up at his son with tears in his eyes. His little boy was growing up. Wrapping his arms around his son, he said, "You are right son. I am scared of some of the stuff I have to do. What keeps me doing it is thinking of you and your mom and sister. Your Uncle Johnny helps too. I know he always has my back, and I have his. I am honored that you chose me for your essay."
"I love you Dad," was all Chris said.