Sitting on a Story Blog - English 12



My park bench :)



1.) Visit a park, choose a bench, explain your choice, and describe your bench.



Inscription on my bench
"It's a great day to be alive"
Brandon Daoust
1985-2005



          After finally finding my perfect park bench, I have decided on picking the one that had the most meaningful inscription and the best location. Located in Deep Cove, it’s overlooking the ocean, boat dock, and the beautiful scenery of the nature surrounding it. I picked this bench simply because of what it's inscription said: “It’s a great day to be alive”. It is something simple but what most caught my eye was the date of the young man who it was dedicated too. Brandon Daoust 1985-2005, nearly 20 years old, so young. This bench looked aged and used, being in the location it is it looks like a well used bench. It’s not right near the water by the walkway along the ocean; it’s located farther up giving you a better view of the whole cove. This bench showed me how the memories of those we loved that have passed, especially at such a young age are one way to keep them alive in our hearts and minds. As for the inscription on the bench it stood out to me among the rest. It was something short and simple, not long and only required the words “In loving memory” as all the rest did. Although it was short it was so powerful “It’s a great day to be alive”, showing that everyday is privilege to live, and walking past that bench and reading that makes you realize how much living is a treasure because you never know when it’s going to be your time. This bench wasn’t like the others to me, not only for the simple reason of the young man getting his life taken at the young age of 20 but it was the first bench that actually stood out to me among all the other benches I had looked at. 

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2.) From my bench, describe what you see, what you feel, what you think, what you want.



Deep Cove



           As I sit on this park bench I look around me, I observe the surroundings around me. I see children playing on the playground to the right, to the left there’s a woman walking her dog, and in front of me the simple view of the ocean and the boat dock. Way off into the distance I can see houses of people that get there by boat, and the horizon that separates the earth from the sky. I can’t help but to feel relaxed with the cold wind blows my hair, and the sounds of the ocean waves hitting the rocks as the tide comes in. As I sit on my bench looking into the far distance, I feel sorrow for this young man. My first thought was to Google what had happened to him at such a young age.  I also thought about how many people has stopped to take the time to read this bench as well as to pass by and sit on it. It looks old and used so I assume the location it is in, it gets used quite often. I want to know why people decide to dedicate a park bench with an inscription on it. Is it for comfort reasons or just a place they can go and remember them? Whatever reason it is, I quite enjoy reading them myself.

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3.) If a bench were dedicated to you, where would you like the bench, and what would you like the inscription plate to say?

            If a bench were to be dedicated to me I would like it to be placed somewhere that I have spent time in my life and a place that has given me happiness such as in Deep Cove. Not only do I live in Deep Cove but I spend so much time down there watching the ocean and the kayakers. It’s my escape and in the summer I spend the majority of my time sunbathing in the sun and looking at the beautiful nature surrounding me. I would like the bench to be on the stone walk along the ocean overlooking the horizon of the sun. Many people will pass by it whether there walking or jogging and it will be facing the ocean making it a beautiful spot for the people to pass by it and sit. As for the inscription placed on my bench I want something short, simple and sweet. Nothing detailed just a little comment to show that it’s my bench. Something like “in loving memory of Kelsey Sepulveda, December 18,1993 - date of death. With love from my family or friends” would be perfect. A quote to show their appreciation for me would also be greatly appreciated. I feel that it shows more on a personal level the connection between us.

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4.) If you dedicated a bench, where would you like the bench, and what would the inscription say?



White rock, Crescent beach



            If I were to dedicate a bench it would be in White Rock along Crescent Beach in memory of my nana that passed away from cancer. The reason why I chose this place is because she lived in white rock and crescent beach was her favorite place in world. She spent the majority of her time down there always bringing my sister and me down there whenever we visited. Not only is it a beautiful beach but the scenery of people and the train tracks makes me think back to the good times when I was younger. The inscription would say ‘In living memory of Gail, gone but not forgotten.” There is not a day that goes by where I don’t miss her and I think if I had a bench that I could go too to think about her it would be great. After she passed we got a plaque put up at the Peace Arch Hospital in memory of her which is nice to go and see once and awhile. I think it would be better to actually have a bench though where we could sit and knowing that the odd person would stop to read the inscription and acknowledge it.

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5.) Write a journal response about your trip to the park.



View from my park bench



      When I went to find my park bench I knew the perfect spot to go and search. I happened to have my camera with me, when my mom and I were down there. The weather wasn’t great, it had been raining earlier and it was cold. I managed to walk around and scope out all the benches that I could see. The one I chose happened to be the first bench I saw which had the best view. As I walked around taking pictures of the inscriptions I couldn’t help but to feel sorrow seeing how many people’s lives were taken. As I walked around on this cold crisp day, I observed my surroundings, which included the ocean, children playing in the playground, and best of all the sounds of the waves and wind. Once I had decided on the bench I was going to pick, I sat down on it and observed what I saw, what I felt, what I thought and what I wanted. After what felt like an hour finding the right park bench, I went back home with the photos I had taken and thoughts of the young man that the bench was dedicated too. After my trip to the park it opened up my eyes as to how many people feel comfort of engraving an inscription on a park bench for their loved ones.

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6.) Choose a poem that suits your bench, and explain your choice. Include a copy of the poem.

                            

Scale back your long hopes

to a short period. While we
speak, time is envious and

is running away from us.
Seize the day, trusting
little in the future.

                                                      -Horus

I picked this poem because it strongly backs up the inscription using Carpe Diem. Live each day as it comes, be thankful for the time you have. The quote "It's a great day to be alive" fits in with Carpe Diem as seizing the day and putting more trust into present than the future. No moment is ever promised so live it up. After seeing this young man whose life was taken so quickly, I feel even stronger about my belief in Carpe Diem. You can’t dwell on the past, you can’t worry about the future, you must live in the moment.

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7.) Explain how your poem connects to your personal philosophy of life.

        The poem I have chosen connects to my personal philosophy of life in my belief of Carpe Diem. I am a strong believer in living life for the moment and not to think into the future. You can’t focus on the future, you just have to live the moment your living in without any doubts or regrets. The poem was written by Horus in 65 B.C.E, in which he composed many poems about the latin phrase Carpe Diem. Not only did he believe in Carpe Diem but he wrote about it which throughout our english class have talked and written about as well. Carpe Diem is such a strong topic for me and to be able to pick a park bench that has a meaning close to it really made my bench stand out. You can't miss an opportunity to do something that you really want to do, as it might be your only chance to complete that experience. I want my life to be complete when i am old, I don;t want to be regretting things that I never had the chance to do. I would beat myself up regretting the things that I didn't do because I know that my body wouldn't be able to take something like bungee jumping, or riding a bull.
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8.) What is the purpose of a park? What are your thoughts about parks?

         The purpose of a park to me is an area designated for the public to visit and enjoy. It’s a place that children play, people jog, and suntan in the summer. They provide a safe home for nature, they help keep the air and water clean, and they help us learn about the environment. Parks protect the areas as we share this planet with all these creatures and we must do what we can to protect them. Without fresh air and clean food and water we would die. The leaves from the plants and trees give us air, and their roots hold the soil together which stops erosion and helps keep the waterways clean. Many people enjoy going to parks because it gives them simple pleasure and enjoyment. Whether your flying a kite or meeting up with a friend, parks are there for us.



photo I took at Cates Park

             My thoughts on parks are positive. I have spent so much of my time at parks and being outdoors, because I love nature. Especially in the summer I spend the majority of my time laying by the water or playing a game of volleyball by the nets. I couldn't imagine not having parks, because I don't know what I would do on those days. When I want to clear my mind of all the thoughts in my head, I tend to take walks or go somewhere with a good view. There has been so many times when I have wanted to escape and a nice walk along the park has been good. One of my favourite places to go is Cates Park not just because I love so close but because in the cold days like today there usually isn't very many people down there. I bus down and sit by the lifeguard stand and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
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9.) Write a poem reflecting upon your bench experience or your impending high school graduation.

Walking on this cold crisp day,
I pass the benches that are on display.

Thinking of the stories that go along,
They just don't feel like they belong.

Whether their lives were taken all too fast

There's nothing we can do to stop the past.

Live in the moment live in the day,

Don't let your life slowly drift away.