The Definition Of Brave

When I say the word brave, people usually think about a hero saving lives. That’s not always what brave means to me. Brave comes in many different forms. For others, brave can be having a sleepover or going away from home for the first time. For me, braveness comes in the form of getting a shot without my mom for the first time, facing one of my greatest fears.

Summer of 2015, Camp Thunderbird, Bemidji, MN. It was the summer before seventh grade, three weeks into camp. This summer, we were in cabin Cimmaron. Five bunks and a bathroom filled up most of the cabin. The floors were flooded by dirty clothes and unfinished card games. Tonight was just like any other night at camp, but one counselor and six kids were out on a climbing trip. All that …show more content…
People were screaming and running to the counselor's area. It was hard to tell whose voice it was at the moment. Someone let out a yelp, screaming that it was a bat. A counselor ran to another cabin to get the camp director to catch it while everyone else started to panic. The only thing was that I was on the top bunk. I had no idea where the bat was or if it was safe for me to come down. The thought of death creeped over my motionless body as I continued to panic. Then a new idea popped into my head, what if the bat was on me, or going to bite me?! Is anyone else still in bed? Can anybody hear me? Am I going to die? What’s happening and why???? Hiding under my covers, crying in my bed, I yelled for help. I was frightened to death. After being assured many times by camp friends and counselors, I jumped down, threw on my shoes and ran as fast as I could to where everyone else was. The door sprung open and the director ran in. He told us to stay put while he would catch it. We sat there, cuddling together. Then everyone spilled; the story came together piece by piece . Apparently, Maya woke up, only to use the restroom, but when she climbed down the ladder and on to the floor, she saw something move. Watching it fly overhead, Maya started to panic. Yelling for anyone to hear her, she ran around shaking everyone awake. The counselors ignored her call for help because they thought she was sleep talking, so they went back to bed. Finally, …show more content…
I opened the door and walked in. I had been dreading this moment for almost five hours now. My worst nightmare was about to come true. A knot of questions shot in my head when I first walked in. What’s going to happen, which arm first, can I get some food, is this going to hurt? Is it just me or is my mouth getting numb? Wow people, can’t you see that some icy cold water to wash down the knot of fear in my throat would be nice?! Is that disgusting, red blood I smell? Ahh, is it coming from me?! Is this shot process something I can opt out of? I knew none of those questions were going to be answered until after the shot. The nurse took out the shot. I closed my eyes. Hearing her come closer and closer, I flinched. I felt her cold hands touch my arm. I jumped. I hid my arm behind my back, not letting her have access to it. Tears filled my eyes, I tried to be brave. but I was too scared. All this time I told myself I could do it but I couldn't. Bravery was not my specialty. My counselor told me it was going to be okay, but that was too hard to think about when a mean looking lady is walking towards you with a huge syringe in her hand. Reluctantly, I sat down, putting out my arm. I couldn't back out again, the lady was getting annoyed and she was tapping her feet. Not a good sign. I don’t want a mean looking lady with a huge shot in her hand to be mad. I covered my eyes. Afraid of what was to