How To Write an Essay

My daughter will be 19 next week.
How would I capture my thoughts about her in an essay?
First, I visualize myself being part of her scene.
To write an essay, I suggest to students to become part of the subject.
I see myself holding her hand and racing across a busy street, singing a silly song and laughing all the way.
I am at her kindergarten class, dressed up as Casey, with my personal rendition of Casey at the Bat and watching my 5 year old proudly watch her fat dad perform for her classmates.
By becoming part of the scene, I recall it all.
Now, my girl is a teenager and she is having a problem being bullied at school and we are in her bedroom, eyes on the ceiling, but hearts aligned.
Through the power of visualization, I am back in a room I haven’t been in years.
And my writing flows!
Now, we are both crying and the tears make me realize I needed to reach out and help my little relieve my little girl’s pain.
And in the morning, I help her change schools.
What can a parent do better than anyone in the world?
Be there for their child.
What I will remember most about being a parent is hoping that my child discovers what they need to succeed.
I will remember the laughter.
I will remember the tears.
I will remember the words.
I will remember the pictures.
And whenever I wish, I will return to the scene and remember it some more.
And I teach my students to add flavor to their writing by doing the same.
Just like I taught my son and daughter.
Happy Birthday, beauty.
There is no one in the world quite like you.
And I was fortunate enough to be there.
And that has made all the difference.