Brother Dear by Bernice Friesen

I’m starting my last year in high school, you know what this means? Its crunch time: Applications, admissions and taking a look at my possible future. As of right now, University of Alberta just like Greg and Dennis, but I wont be like Greg. I will be studious or ill attempt to be anyways. Both: this means.. Imp: Great , I’m stuck here another year, another 365 days of sheer boredom, in a town where everybody knows everybody, but I have plans , plans that can take me places.. if I get up the nerve to explain this to my decision maker†¦ the one in control.. my dad. I mean its as if Im the passenger to my own plane and my dad is the pilot. he is taking me in the wrong direction. Instead of relinquishing into the pressure of his expectations I want to take the control and go where I want to be headed. Both: expectations Exp: my grades, they are not stellar, it makes me nervous to think about what will happen if I do not get accepted. His face all scrunched up and red, speechless but not for long (frieson 27). He would probably go on some speel about how I’m his last hope especially after you take a look at Greg. Both: but what happens next? Imp: it gives me an opening, finds me an excuse to say what I really want to. I don’t want to be like everybody else, always studying, meeting deadlines, I want to be the pilot of my own plane. Take control of my own future. I want to know what it feels like to have freedom. I know my dad wants what is best for me, take the path with the safest results, to earn a career and life where nothing comes unexpected. He thinks what is best for me and all his kids   To be in university is an experience he nr=ever got, one he probably regrets. But that does not mean that it is for me. Both: safety net Exp: my dad was a man who fell into the trap of not having experiences†¦. his dreams and goals were mulled by a tractor when he took over his father’s business. The safety in his job had forced me and my brothers to take on what he didn’t get a chance to do. I wonder if things had been done differently, would I still be contemplating these decisions. His desire for us to be so successful is what makes me apt to take a route where I cannot let him down. Both: intense Imp: that would be the word that would be slapped on my forehead for the rest of my life! So by doing this university thing, I feel like Im falling into the same pattern my dad did when he was younger. I want to yell at him with the same intensity that he uses on me. .. about what he is thrusting upon me. I don’t think he understand that going from a small town to a large university is as easy as it sounds. Both: transitions Exp: If I have to consider transitioning into university then, you should consider transition your point of view. University does not guarantee a life of contentment or a direct path to success. Part of being accomplished in life is having experiences that you can learn from. Brave or not will not guarantee a spot in university, you also need to have a diverse life. Both: identity Imp: I come to the realization that my identity is not a shadow of my dad, but rather the current representation of myself. If I do, and hopefully will, take the seat in front of the control and steer myself to MY FUTURE in a land other than here. I will be taking flight to the individual that I desperately want to be. After all,: (both)it is not what you do, but who you are, that makes you a person!!!!!