Ignoring or quitting situations that are “too tiring or backbreaking” is effortless to us because we do it every single day. Versatility… a very sophisticated word, yet beneficial to everyone’s struggles. Most people identify this word as flexibility, adaptability, or perseverance. It can be crucial in situations you would never think you would need to use it for. There is one minor dilemma I faced around six years ago that still reminds me how vital versatility is.

       Since the beginning of the morning, I was scrambling to get ready for school. I woke up at the crack of dawn, yet I still wasn’t ready. My dad hollered at me to hurry up, otherwise I would miss the bus, which would cause him to be late to his office. I perked up, hearing his shout, and frantically scampered around as my arms flailed, whipping in the air like a cartoon character, as I snatched all the stuff I needed for school. I always hated missing the bus because it always gave me this sickening feeling that I did something unacceptable or that I was going to be late for school. I skidded towards the stairs, flew down, traveling towards my shoes. Fingers scrambling, I crammed my broken-down sneakers on and miraculously appeared in the doorway. I gazed in awe out the door, looking at the exquisite snowy season.

       I initially peered out in front of me and saw the never-ending slope of the cracked driveway. I breathed, breath visible, as my head shifted to the right and left as I glanced at my surroundings. The grass was frosted over, and the snow gently laminated over it. The piercing brisk whoosh of the wind greeted me by flying into my face, making my cheeks red and splotchy as my legs jolted in the bitter cold.

       I trudged with purpose towards the driveway, boots clomping, and delicately tapped my heel on the driveway. I was ready to start racing towards the bus stop, until I nearly fell flat on my back from my boots slipping. Before plummeting to the ground, I instantaneously latched onto one of the car handles as my feet moved forward, like I was on a treadmill. I caught my breath after a couple of seconds while I was trying to figure out why I slipped. My feet began to turn numb in the cold while I squinted below my feet. I stared obliviously at the driveway, realizing that there was a camouflaged coat of black ice painted over it. A little bit of panic rushed over me, making my stomach full of butterflies, swarming and fluttering all about.

       While I took an interest in the driveway, my Dad had wheels turning in his brain, digging deeper and deeper into his thoughts. Eventually, my Dad's face lit up with a shrewd idea in mind. I glanced up at him, apprehending his facial expressions. I was puzzled but attentive to what was going to happen next. In a flash, he abruptly thrusted out his hand closer to me, determined to make the bus. Whipping me up from my awkward standing position, he grasped my hand and dragged me towards the driveway. 

       One foot in front of the other, we start inching closer to the drop of the driveway. Feeling like I would fall flat on my face, we hastily started surfing down the glistening icy driveway. Accelerating down the hill made my ears red and my nose a vibrant pink. It was only a split second, yet it felt like a dream. Me, seductively gliding on the sparkling ice with the satisfying sound of my boots’ grip, grinding the ice underneath. My eyes widened with awe. My sweaty palms clung onto my Dad’s as he squeezed mine back.

       As we neared the bottom, my heart soared a million feet in the air while I thought about how exhilarating the experience was. My dad was rattled, but not as thrilled as I was, kind of like he was expecting it, but I was on cloud 9! There was nothing else to do but smile. So, I smiled a mile wide, and my head buzzed with excitement!

       I vaguely remember if we made it on time to the bus, but that didn’t really matter anymore to me. The eye-opening experience was so precious to me because it keeps reminding me to push through obstacles standing in my path. Versatility is a constructive and an effective way we work through tough times, even if we don’t know it. Just like the saying, if life gives you lemons, make lemonade… you never keep the sourness or obstacles blocking your way, but instead, change it into a positive like your path to success.

-Elizabeth L.