Inspiring Olive by Alexis

Inspiring Olive by Alexis - May 2017 Scholarship Essay

Olive’s Ocean is an inspiring book by Kevin Henkes. In the book, the main character Martha learns how important life is and how quickly it can all change. A girl named Olive, in Martha’s grade, is killed in a bicycle accident. Olive and Martha did not know each other very well but Martha learns that they both wanted to be friends and were very similar in their interests. Olive’s Ocean has taught me to always be appreciative in life because tomorrow is never promised.
A girl in my grade named Makenzee George was taken in a car accident this past year. While I also was not close friends with her she was a great person. Losing a peer made people in my grade realize how everything can change so quickly and how important our time is. Nobody ever thinks that they will be the one to die young, or to be suddenly disabled or sick. The truth is that nobody knows what can happen next.
Martha starts to notice simpler things in life as she tries to figure out more about Olive. While no one is perfect, I try to be appreciative and thankful in life. We do not always think of the people who have helped us get to where we are in life, or have just given us a good laugh. The saying that everyone wants what they do not have seems common. People always complain about things, but do not always think of all the simple things they have, whether it be a new phone, or just being alive this long and having the basic needs of life.
Everyone has a reason for being alive. Even making someone smile when you make a mistake has a big change in the world. Happy and sad times are both important, but we should try and have a positive outlook to make the most of our lives. Depression and suicide have become more known in today’s time. Everyone has questions that cannot always be answered but life has to mean something. Whether you have a little or a lot of friends, you will be known and remembered. For Martha, she understood only after Olive’s death what she could have done differently. She feels sorry that she did not talk to her more or get to know her. This inspires me to not judge other people and get to know them. Many people learn to trust me for this reason.
This book inspires me to live everyday like it’s my last. Nobody knows what happens after death, so I believe people should take advantage of the time we have now to make a difference. Olive’s Ocean has influenced me to be a patient, respectful, and appreciative person. I would love to be remembered positively even if I was not the most popular person in high school. Tomorrow is never promised, which is an important lesson that everyone should truly consider.