The 411 on My Values by Brianna T.

If you talk to teenagers about what they value the most, about 99% would say their cell phone. Sadly, I’m one of that 99%. But my cell phone is just my financial item that I value the most. My cell phone doesn’t even come close to my biggest value in life, my family.

*

Every teenager’s dream is to get a cell phone for when the turn thirteen. Mom’s and dad’s all over hear the same argument over and over again. My parents heard it just days before I became an official teen.

“I need it though ….mom!”

“No, you’re not thirteen yet.”

“But I will be, in a couple days … pleaseee!”

“I said no, that’s just one more thing I will have to pay for.”

“I’ll use it for emergencies only, and to contact you for rides and things like that.” “I won’t go over my minutes I promise”

“Promise is a strong word; you can’t break those you know.”

“Mom I know, I’m not a little kid anymore. You can trust me, please I want a cell phone.”

“You will just have to wait and see.”

And I waited, till June 2^nd. The sun was just coming over the horizon, waiting to waken the earth below. Nothing stirred, even I was still sound asleep in my bed, just seconds away from turning thirteen years old. The silence was broken by a loud ringing. I shot up in my bed and tried to find the off switch on my clock, but the ringing didn’t stop. I listened closer to figure out where the annoying sound was coming from. I looked to my right and there it was , my cell phone. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” A light switched on and there in front of me, was my loving family.

My cell phone is my financial value because not only can I talk to my friends when ever, but because it is a symbol of my parent’s trust in me.

*

It was a Thursday night; the night before my big 6^th grade poem project was due. Everything was perfect until, my throat became dry and I needed a drink. As I slowly went to put down the cup next to my nearly finished project, the cup slipped, and down it went. A red stain of Ocean Spray Cranberry juice lay before my eyes all over my project. As panic took over me, I could feel my eyes swelling up. I had worked so hard, and now it was ruined! I would never have time to make another one. As my mom was walking into the kitchen, she saw my puffy red eyes trying to hold back tears, and then the stained poster that lay before me on the table. “Oh dear, ” she exclaimed. I burst into tears. ‘”Don’t cry, we can fix it” she said calmly.

“No we can’t,” I cried, “I ruined it and I don’t have time to make another one all by myself.” “I’ll help you,” she said. “Us too.” My dad and sister said as they came into the kitchen. We came together that night, as a family. My project was finished and it came out pretty darn good, if I may say so myself (my teacher thought so too).

My family is my “priceless” value. They mean the world to me, and they always have my back. They are always there to help me up when I am pushed down. They are the most important thing in my life, and I love them with all my heart, and I hope they never forget that.

*

My two values are very different, but in a weird way, kind of similar.

My cell phone allows me to talk to my friends and contact people who I need to talk to. It gives my a feeling of responsibility. I like that my friends always have my back. And when you stay connected with people you feel like you belong.

My family cares and loves for me dearly. They always have my back, and make me feel like I belong. I have a sense of responsibility towards my family and they have responsibility for me. There will always be a special place in my heart for them, and a place in theirs for me.

I value both things a lot, but if I had to choose between having a cell phone to call my friends, or having a loving family who is always there for you no matter what, I would pick my family. A phone is just an object that will come and go. My family is a part of my life forever.