The essay that struck a chord the most with me was the essay called What They Don't Tell You About Cancer. This is for the reason that I was in her shoes, I lived this story. The opening paragraph, describing that she didn't know what cancer was, expecting it to be a, ".. garbage full of used Kleenex" illness rather then a battle was an idea that I shared with her. So what can I steal then if it's so close? Hmmmm. I like how she opens the second paragraph with the setting, establishing the surroundings with great imagery. Then later in the third paragraph her listing of what her grandpa might miss because of the illness, or what she might not get to do with him again really establishes a connection with anyone who's had to deal with someone close going through cancer. This list also creates a picture of the grandpa for you, of things that he liked to do and of how he lived. It got a little to sappy when she was asking all the why's, though it wasn't a huge deal but again I can yoink the description of what I'll miss about my grandpa, and his smoking.

At the end of this essay, not only was I listening to sad music, but my mom had just put a picture of my grandpa up on the wall so needless to say my mood has been dampened significantly. I loved this essay though, and being sad just means it did it's job well.