Relationship I Did Not Like

In my novel Change of Heart, there was one relationship that really bothered me. The reader found out near the end of the book that the step father who was killed had been molesting his step daughter (who was also killed). For a while, the mother did not know this while the reader did. It bothered me how the mother still thought of that man as a loving father and husband. The whole town thought of him as a hero who was trying to rescue his daughter when she was murdered. But the truth was that Shay Bourne, the murderer, walked in on the step father molesting the little girl. Bourne tried to save the girl but the the step father ended up shooting her in a struggle over his gun. He was buried with the little girl lying next to him because the mother always thought that he was a wonderful father to her. Even when she came to the realization near the end of the novel that he had been molesting her daughter, she was not especially angry. I wish that she would have made sure that the whole town knew what a horrible man he really was. In reality, the convicted murderer was the honest and good man in the whole situation. But the step father was forever loved and glorified by the everyone in the town.

What I Have Learned in High School

Don't stress over everything!
Some things are just not worth it.

1. Stressing over bad grades on tests. In the moment, it seems like the end of the world. But remember that Chemistry test you failed sophomore year? Yeah, me neither. It is totally not worth the stress.

2. Stressing over the fact that you have the same dress as someone else at a dance. In ten years you most likely won't even remember what your dress looked like. So instead of being angry about it and trying to convince everyone that you look better in it anyways, just have fun!

3. Stressing over being tardy every once in a while. As a freshman I basically thought that being tardy meant that I wouldn't get into college and I had no future. But after being tardy numerous times this year, I have learned that it's really no big deal.

4. Stressing over a horrible coach. Yes, it's hard to have to respect them and listen to them at all times when they are mean and barely ever at practice anyways. But I have learned not to let them ruin the sport (in my case, cheerleading) for everyone.

5. Stressing over missing school when you are sick. There is a lot of work to make up when you stay home from school because you are sick. But worrying about all that work will only make you feel even sicker. Realize that you will get it done eventually, and just let yourself feel better.

Aspect of Society

I think that the aspect of society brought to light through this novel is that people are very un-accepting of the idea that someone who once did bad things can change for the better. It is true that some people never change, but Change of Heart tells the rare story of redemption. Sometimes it's hard to believe that people can change, but this novel shows how important it is to give those people a chance. Shay Bourne was a convicted murderer on death row who wanted to donate his heart to a little girl. Most people did not believe that his intentions were in the right place, but by giving him the benefit of the doubt he saved the little girls life. It is possible that by giving someone the chance to prove that they have changed, one might get hurt. But I think it is important for society to learn how to give people that chance, even with the risks attached.