Ah... Fall break. Perfect timing for a break off school. Cool breeze, needing a jacket once in a while. Finally october! The sweet smells of pumpkin spice fill air. Orange and red leaves bloom, making you look twice at the trees before you leave them behind. October is truly the best time of year.

My family, a crazy bunch of people usually go to a cabin up in Heber. The cabin is my mom’s boss’s cabin, but they are friends, thats why we go, because we don’t have to “rent” it out. We always end up inviting my mom’s best friends family to come up with us. this time for a special accession. we incited out next door neighbors also. That was 3 families total (including ours)

“Are we there yet?” My sister said aloud so the whole car could hear her.
“Yes, in five minutes.” My mom said, turning a corner. I was so exited! I gathered my things that were scattered around the car. we turned one more corner and at the end of the street was a large cabin. I soon found myself inside, exploring as I went. After a complete hour passed, I was under a blanket, lying on a soft pillow. And then I drifted asleep soundlessly.

The week was great! Yummy food, smores and late night movies. But the best thing you could do there is driving the fore-wheelers. Dirt flying everywhere as you skidded along the dusty path throughout the filed. Tire trails marked the way, telling you people have ridden there many times before. They were always the thing I mostly looked forward to.

After a long day of driving the ATV’s, I decided to go cool off in the basement and watch a movie. My choice, “What about Bob?” I asked all the other kids (including my sisters) to come and watch it with me. They agreed. So we all ended up in the dark, watching a movie all together.

Now boys being boys, my dad and his two friends set out on the fore-wheelers to have a little fun alone before we had to head home the next day. So my dad’s friends and him went further out to a different trail passed The Cabin.

Mistake 1.

“Honey, could I talk to you for one minute?” My mom said in a panicked voice. Me, watching the movie for the first time, walked out of the dark room with my eyes glued to the T.V. I closed the door behind me quietly behind me. My mom’s eyes filled with worry.
“Dad just fell of the ATV, and got hurt really badly, he needs to go to the hospital! I need you to watch the kids while i’m gone.” My mom said. I looked at her as if she was some crazy person. She was just messing with me. It couldn’t be true! Could it...? my mom ran up the stairs. It was true... I didn’t want to believe it, but it was true! My vision was blued by water that filled my eyes. A warm tear slid down my cheek. And for that moment, I felt like the world was on my shoulders.

“Everyone, and everything here?” My mom’s friend said, looking behind her seat.
“Yes.” Everyone said quietly. Leaving The Cabin was always a sad thing, but not this sad. It wasn’t fare! I thought to myself. Why? Why us? Why... Me?

Home was extra quiet. Too quiet. W arrived home 20 minutes ago. There were no smiles, laughs or any talk about the fun time we had at The Cabin, before the... accident.
“Tessa, Ava? Will you please take a shower before bed.” I said. I tried to put on a fake smile for the girls, but not even I was convinced. I took a step outside in the october air. A chill ran up my spine taking control of me. The tears were not far, I couldn’t believe what was happening.
After a few days of crying and just praying that my dad would be ok, I finally got ahold of my self. Fall break was over, and it was time to head back to school. I had to be the parent in this home. I would take control, and keep it running wile my mom was watching over my dad in the hospital. I was the mom, the parent, the guardian. And that’ s when it hit me. My sisters and I really needed my parents. It never accrued to me that I needed my parents desperately, not only my dad who was injured and in the hospital, but also my mom.

I had to do most of the cooking, cleaning and helping out my sisters with all their needs. It was defiantly a big challenge, but with the help from my neighborhood, we were able to get back on out feet, As a family. My dad soon recovered enough to come home. Although he had hard time sleeping at night and he ached every moment he breathed, all was well.

But I will never forget how much I needed my parents and still do in life! And that was one of many life changing experiences I have had. Now at time and time again I with think that I am old enough to do the things I want, but I always think of this experience and of the importance of my parents.