“The Value of a Single Human Life”
Penelope, grade 8
Chittenden County
The years after Covid had been difficult and dark at times. I had a wonderful family, with loving parents, and two playful sisters, but looking back, our home still felt a little empty. It’s hard to notice missing pieces at the moment, but once you find them, you become painfully aware of what was missing.
It was December when I found out another sibling was joining my life. I was not excited. Not at all. As months went by, I was unsure of her, and I didn’t want things to change because I liked life the way it was. I was irritable every time my parents brought her up, and jealous when our family and friends wanted to talk about her.
My mother went into labor. My parents left for the hospital while I stayed home with my sisters. I went to bed angry that my parents decided to have this baby. I cried. I didn’t want the baby at all.
The next morning, my father drove my sisters and I to the hospital. I started to cry again because I was so scared nothing would ever be the same. At first I wouldn’t enter the room. I was too nervous. Once I did, I saw my mother holding the baby wrapped in a swaddle.
My father allowed my sisters to hold the baby, but when it was my turn, I resisted. I backed myself against the wall. My father walked towards me with her, “Hold her, Penny.” he said, gently. I shook my head. He slowly placed her in my arms, “She loves you,” he said.
I looked, and at that exact moment, I realized what our family was missing. The missing, empty piece of our family’s lives. I broke into happy tears and kissed her on the head. My heart was full of such happiness and joy. I whispered to her, “I love you so much, Sybil.”
Months have gone, I am now fourteen years old and she has changed my life. All of our lives. For the better. I hold Sybil every day and she smiles at me, giggles, and loves me. She helped me realize how every person on this planet has a purpose for being here. We are meant for each other, to love one another, to carry each other through storms. To share love, kindness, support, and community with one another. Be thankful for those you have in your life and love them, and be thankful for them, and appreciate those who love and enjoy your existence.
I didn’t like the idea of things changing and impacting my family. But with Sybil, love grew. The world was made just the way it should be, and every little thing or thought a person does can impact every family as well as the world. We need to fulfill our purpose by being kind to those around us, who might not be grateful that they were alive. You don’t have life forever here, so enjoy it as much as you can.
Life is good, and being born is a miracle.
