My Big Sister :: College Admissions Essays

My Big Sister   She was so concentrated on her task that at first she did not come across the quiet voice behind her. In one hand she held an enormous clear plastic bag, and with the other she was picking scarves off a display crucify and haphazardly stuffing them into the bag. She worked quickly because after an hour in the town hall, she was ready to head home. An hour of speeches read in a passionate laggard had left her feeling a strange apathy.   She usually enjoyed the annual Homeless Vigil, and had worked very hard to collect the hats and scarves she now treated with such indifference. Standing unsocial on the now empty stage and gazing out into the rows of decaying wooden chairs, she tried to imagine the people her work would help, but found she didnt really care. All she could hypothesize about was getting out of that old building and going somewhere with central heating.   With a sudden clarity, she realized that she didnt want to be a crack of this farc e anymore. What did it mean if a few middle class families got together once a year to be preached at by a band of tired social service workers? They listened patiently for an hour, then donated a few bucks to assuage their consciences. They drove home in their foreign cars to their nice two narrative houses and ate a hot meal, confident that they had paid their dues to humanity. If they could be so easily satisfied, so could she.   Excuse me, maam? Finally the voice got her attention, and she turned around. The microscopical voice belonged to an equally small boy shifting nervously from foot to foot.   What is it, Hon? she managed a tired smile.   I heard your speech tonight, about all those kids who dont arrive at anywhere to live. You said that you were collecting clothes and stuff to keep them warm.   Thats right. This time of year it is especially hard for them.