Gathering Blue Gathered Me by Jenna

Gathering Blue Gathered Me by Jenna - May 2017 Scholarship Essay

I have always been a fan of books on dystopian societies- so when my class read The Giver and Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry in seventh grade, I fell in love. I have just recently read it again for a class proposal in my humanities class. As soon as I opened up the book I fell in love all over again, staying up all night just to read it. The main character, Kira, has a deformed leg and has no parents. She struggles to find her place in the community, since she cannot do work and is ‘unfit’ for marriage. However, she finds herself saved when the leaders realize she has a special gift.
I can relate to Kira. I never saw the connection when I was younger, but now that I have dealt with OCD, anxiety, and depression for over nine years rather than just learning to cope with it, I share some of the issues she deals with. Gathering Blue taught me to delight in my insecurities and thrive with my disabilities. I no longer try to fit in with my peers, but I pursue my own passion despite the hardships. I have learned that no matter how difficult things can get or how lonely life can be, there is always someone there to help you, even if you don’t know it.