Everything I'd Been Waiting For | Teen Ink

Everything I'd Been Waiting For

April 10, 2009
By banana PLATINUM, Johnston, Iowa
banana PLATINUM, Johnston, Iowa
30 articles 0 photos 18 comments

The docks were bursting with life, awash in serenity, and everything I’d been waiting for. The shining lake water gently lapping against the metal supports made a cheerful thwap thwap sound, and the seagulls soaring overhead filled my ears with the tales of their joyful discoveries.

Looking at the sailboats bobbing peacefully before me, I was filled with a sense of rightness. I knew down to the bottom of my soles (and probably a good ten feet down below that) that this was where I was meant to be. All the minor stresses and anxieties that had built up inside me over the course of the year were gone. It was as if the water all around me had breached its boundary and washed any feelings of fear or sadness away.

The ever-present Superior breeze rose off the surface of the lake and plucked at a piece of my hair, inviting it to dance. Moving in perfect harmony, the wind twirled it around in a perfect pirouette, then sent it leaping up higher. And while this proceeded to throw a shiver of cold racing down my spine, it was also one of delight.

“Isn’t this great!?” I shouted to my brother.

Kyle was wandering alongside the railing, one Canon Rebel XTI camera slung around his neck. He kept glancing up at the many different flags that were flapping in the wind. I was pretty sure he was trying to figure out the best way to capture the spectrum of countries on each flagpole in a single shot.

When I spoke, however, he looked over. “Yeah,” he replied. Smiling, I just shook my head. All of this glory could never be contained in a single word.

“I think we better go though, Hannah.” Kyle was crouching down now, one eye squinting through the camera, which was directed up at the dancing banners. “Mom and Dad are probably unloading lunch from the car, and our cruise is supposed to leave in about twenty minutes.”

This was probably true. We’d arrived only a half hour or so before the Island Princess was scheduled to sweep us all aboard for a two hour tour of the islands. While this meant that we all more than ready to be here, it did not leave us much time to eat lunch, go to the bathroom, and get ready. I was just thankful to finally see something besides miles and miles of trees (that’s Wisconsin for you), and delighted with the breath-taking scene before me. My parents, while still pleased to have reached our destination, I believed were experiencing a wee bit of stress. So…

I nodded. “Okay then.” After all, I still had about two days to marvel at this newfound paradise. And even though I’d never been here before, it was beginning to feel more and more like home.


The author's comments:
Traveling to Lake Superion during the summer of 2008 was probably the best experience I have ever had. As it is, I simply couldn't let such an inspiring place slip through my writing hands.

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This article has 27 comments.


clairy said...
on Apr. 20 2009 at 3:07 am
Thank you so much for sharing your gift. It was like I was right there with you. You painted a beautiful picture with your words. You are an incredible writer, Hannah.

on Apr. 19 2009 at 8:07 pm
WOW!!!

soyergirl said...
on Apr. 19 2009 at 2:01 am
What a joy to read, Hannah! Your writing flows and zings with creativity - may I use this as an example for my students? Really, you are a wonderful writer - your words breathe life and take me to Lake Superior. Thank you.

kkking39 said...
on Apr. 18 2009 at 8:23 pm
That was a great story ! With her descriptions I felt like I was there with Hannah and Kyle. Very enjoyable!

Robin said...
on Apr. 18 2009 at 8:11 pm
Very enjoyable.....I could picture in my mind the moment you were sharing with your readers.

Great descriptions!

on Apr. 18 2009 at 7:01 pm
"The ever-present Superior breeze rose off the surface of the lake and plucked at a piece of my hair, inviting it to dance. "

What gift you have for words. I loved the story and could close my eyes and picture the beauty. Well done!

on Apr. 15 2009 at 8:37 pm
contempl8er GOLD, Alpharetta, Georgia
13 articles 1 photo 3 comments
"Moving in perfect harmony, the wind twirled it around in a perfect pirouette, then sent it leaping up higher."

My favorite line from this story. I love how you captured such a simple moment. I think it's soo much harder to take a couple seconds and turn it into a full-fledged story than it is to write a story over an extensive topic. Really good and enjoyable to read!