A Change in Me by Mac Washburn

So Mac wrote this great piece of expository writing (?!) for an assignment at school (where else).

I love it.

So I am sharing it (with his permission). By the way, he got an A- on it!

I never wanted this much responsibility.  I didn't have to do as much as I have to do now,compared to when I was 7.  Now that I'm 12, I have to take care of 3 brothers, 2 sisters, 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 ducks and 5 fish!  When I was 7 I only had to take care of myself.  All I had to do is make my bed, clean my room, and make it to the dinner table on time. Now that I'm 12 I have so many responsibilities it's mind blowing!

First of all, I have to help care for and watch my baby brother and sister.  They could break something, hurt the dogs or hurt themselves. They need constant watching to make sure they don't get into trouble.  Sometimes they need me to change their diapers or put them to sleep.  But even though they give me lots of trouble, they are still cute and I love them.

Then of course there is my little (though not physically a baby) brothers and sister.  They need constant watching too, except for different reasons. If they hurt each other it's not my fault (unless they broke something or there's massive internal bleeding).  I'm supposed to make sure they don't burn the house down in the process.  Also, I have to be a good role model so that they don't grow up to be crazy hoodlums. (though personally I don't think it's making a difference.)

Lastly, there is the matter of my 12 pets.  I have to feed them, clean up after them and make sure they get plenty of exercise (at leas the dogs, anyway).  I also have to pick up their droppings.  For instance, I have to pick up the dog's poop out of the yard and the clean the cats' litter box.  They are a lot of work but they are fun to pet and play with.

In conclusion, I have lots of responsibility that at first might sound boring and aggravating, but they always pay off and make you a better person.  You may like to have no responsibility and watch TV all day, but this just makes you a lazy bum instead of a responsible person.

Amen to that, Mac!