Rite Of Passage Research Paper
Justin Seelapasay
Karantzalis
English 10H, Period 2
5 January 2012
Shedding the skin of immaturity The rite of passage to me is what we experience during our lifetime that triggered our sense of entering adulthood. The sad moment I endured this is when my grandma passed away. Tears and emotions took me to place I never entered before. I felt that I had to live my life alone without support or guidance. She spoiled me with love and now I knew I had to stay strong for her.
My family is Buddhist so, 12 guys had to shave their heads and become a monk for the day of the funeral, including me. There were also 12 women who had to wear all white. The day of the funeral was an excruciating time for everyone. My heart was beating quickly
the whole day. As soon as daylight arrived we changed into our orange robes and went downstairs so the real monks can make us into monks. Then the women also did it after us, but in white dresses. We took two limos to the mortuary, one for the men and one fore the women. The depressing feeling made things silent and sadness ran through everyone's mind the ride to the mortuary. As we strode down the aisle, my grandma was laying peacefully in the casket. I couldn't bear to see her in there, my emotions kicked in and a sickening feeling rushed to my stomach. After all the speeches and prayers we walked out. I was confused and didn't know where we were going. I asked my cousin and he said we are going to cremate her now. The world went blank and the sense of burning my grandma injured my heart. All 24 of us entered the room and they slid the casket into the chamber. He closed it and we made prayers. The man who owned the mortuary told my uncle, eldest child of my grandparents, when your ready press the button. When he pressed the button everyone cried in despair. The noise of the machine is one of the worst noises I ever heard. It was the so hard to forget the noise. Everyone walked out and that was the last time I saw my grandma.
The importance of this moment is that I have to live with what my grandma taught me. She taught me to be strong and do what ever I can to finish a goal. The feeling that I have to do it by myself gave me a glimpse of maturity and mind of confidence. It seemed as I shedded out all of my immaturity and came out as a young adult. Without her guidance I now have to use those things to get through life. I still have my parents, grandpa, and family to teach and help me down the road. The warm embrace she gave is gone but she will always be with me forever. There will never be anyone like her that will give me so much love and support.
Today, her death represents to me now how strong she was and how strong I have become. That was the true moment I entered adulthood. It also means that there is hope for me to do anything and succeed in it. Even though I have so much more to learn from others nothing else will change the way I think and the morals that have been given to me. Till this very day I know shes with me supporting everything I do no matter if it's regretful or forgiving.
Karantzalis
English 10H, Period 2
5 January 2012
Shedding the skin of immaturity The rite of passage to me is what we experience during our lifetime that triggered our sense of entering adulthood. The sad moment I endured this is when my grandma passed away. Tears and emotions took me to place I never entered before. I felt that I had to live my life alone without support or guidance. She spoiled me with love and now I knew I had to stay strong for her.
My family is Buddhist so, 12 guys had to shave their heads and become a monk for the day of the funeral, including me. There were also 12 women who had to wear all white. The day of the funeral was an excruciating time for everyone. My heart was beating quickly
the whole day. As soon as daylight arrived we changed into our orange robes and went downstairs so the real monks can make us into monks. Then the women also did it after us, but in white dresses. We took two limos to the mortuary, one for the men and one fore the women. The depressing feeling made things silent and sadness ran through everyone's mind the ride to the mortuary. As we strode down the aisle, my grandma was laying peacefully in the casket. I couldn't bear to see her in there, my emotions kicked in and a sickening feeling rushed to my stomach. After all the speeches and prayers we walked out. I was confused and didn't know where we were going. I asked my cousin and he said we are going to cremate her now. The world went blank and the sense of burning my grandma injured my heart. All 24 of us entered the room and they slid the casket into the chamber. He closed it and we made prayers. The man who owned the mortuary told my uncle, eldest child of my grandparents, when your ready press the button. When he pressed the button everyone cried in despair. The noise of the machine is one of the worst noises I ever heard. It was the so hard to forget the noise. Everyone walked out and that was the last time I saw my grandma.
The importance of this moment is that I have to live with what my grandma taught me. She taught me to be strong and do what ever I can to finish a goal. The feeling that I have to do it by myself gave me a glimpse of maturity and mind of confidence. It seemed as I shedded out all of my immaturity and came out as a young adult. Without her guidance I now have to use those things to get through life. I still have my parents, grandpa, and family to teach and help me down the road. The warm embrace she gave is gone but she will always be with me forever. There will never be anyone like her that will give me so much love and support.
Today, her death represents to me now how strong she was and how strong I have become. That was the true moment I entered adulthood. It also means that there is hope for me to do anything and succeed in it. Even though I have so much more to learn from others nothing else will change the way I think and the morals that have been given to me. Till this very day I know shes with me supporting everything I do no matter if it's regretful or forgiving.