Personal Narrative Essay: Jaclyn's House

There is nothing more enticing than the company of those who radiate a spirit of genuine positivity. These people become important to us as we strive to become like them. When we submerge ourselves in an atmosphere that is contaminated with negativity we leave empty and unfulfilled. Therefore, the attitude we embrace has the power to determine just how far we go. The knowledge of the aircraft industry was never something my friend Jaclyn asked for; it was a gift. Jaclyn’s dad had this unique way of tying everything back into an aviation lesson. This didn’t stop him from starting while she was young. Jaclyn learned many of these lessons through simple moments. As her father would launch her up towards the sky she learned about elevation; that life offered a beauty which could only be found at greater heights. Whenever Jaclyn found herself in situations bigger than herself, her father reminded her that

Although I was one of her closest friends, I was unsure of how to help. Every day I would drive to her house and sit with her so she wouldn’t have to be alone. The more I checked on her the harder it became to understand how she was feeling. As I walked into her house, the empty boxes of tissues and clothes trailing from the front door showed fragments of a broken heart and grief. In an aircraft, the most important thing a pilot can do is to keep flying. This is exactly what Jaclyn did. Despite the evidence hidden within the walls of her bedroom, Jaclyn didn’t act any different. She went to work every day, answered text messages with enthusiasm and humor, never cancelled any plans with friends; she seemed happy. No matter what trial or hardship she faced, she would remind herself that her attitude dictated her altitude. As a result, she recognized that her life flourished. The positive attitude she had embraced through tragedy placed her at a greater advantage to overcome and conquer any obstacle she would