Attachment can be hard

I've always been one to get really attached to things, people, objects, heck even food on rare occasions! I'm not clingy, oh no most definitely not, just...I don't know exactly. I'm one who would have a small teddy bear, given by my brother, and keep it the rest of my life. In fact I do have a teddy bear. It was given to me when I was born by my dad, and I'll keep it my whole life. Its name is Dr. Bear, D.B. for short. I've always kept him in my room and loved playing with him. I've had thousands of other stuffed animals, all because I just can't seem to get ride of them, because I'm too attached.

I also get attached to people, but not as much oddly enough. I'm not the most people person, but I get really attached to those that I do get close to. Friends that I have, I would die with out. Family, same thing, couldn't live without them.

Although all of them I love dearly, I've always felt more attached to animals, especially dogs we've had. It's probably because of their loving nature; I mean think about it! All animals do is love! Love, love, love! Not even some people can do that! Animals just have a natural forgiving and loving nature!

But of course, attachment can be a bad thing too...Sometimes, you have to give things away, or lose them. It's always hard, especially if that thing is dear to you. Or things, you could have to lose multiple things at the same time. I had to...

When I was fourteen, fourteen! I lost almost all my possessions; things I had gotten vary close to. I was sitting at home, waiting with my brother for dinner to cook. My twelve-year-old brother, Nathan, and I were considered old enough to stay at home now, luckily. Our parents had gone out for a date and some no-children relaxations.

I was making us Mac 'n Cheese, one of our favorites. Nathan and I were sitting watching some TV show when we happened to glance out the huge glass window placed behind the couch we were sitting on. A large blazing fire was eating up the field behind our yard. I sat and starred a while in shock. My heart began to pound loudly in my chest as I looked over to Nathan. His blond hair reflected the glowing light, his blue eyes shinning with fear.

"Oh my dog! Nathan, go call the fire department, now! I'll get the dogs and cats!" He was already running by the time I was done yelling. I ran quickly to the sliding glass door, let out a weak whistle, and let the dogs rush past me into the house. I grabbed Abe's collar and called Twix. As I past the hat rack I grabbed a leash and yanked open the door. Nathan rushed out to meet me.

"They'll be here soon Annie," he said, his deepened voice rushed and panicked.

"Hold Abe, make sure Twix stays," I instructed, handing him the leash and ordering the dogs to sit. I gave them a signal and told them to stay, then turned on my heel and rushed inside. I stopped and looked straight out the window; the fire had begun to engulf my backyard. I ran and grabbed one of the phones. I ran back outside and set it down. Nathan had tied Abe to a tree.

"Go to your room quickly and grab as much of your stuff as you can, hurry!" I turned back to the house, he fallowed. So did Twix, unfortunately. I couldn't get her to stay, so I let her trail behind me. I rushed into my room, feeling the heat from the fire. I grabbed my laptop, gameboy, and Dr. Bear. Running back out I met Nathan with his gameboy and some baseball things. I set my stuff down by Abe and turned to look at the house. The fire had reached the house, but I couldn't let all our stuff get burned.

"Nathan, lets go to your room, we'll get your stuff first!" We rushed in and took a sharp left, heading down the hall to his room. He threw open the door and told me what to grab: his computer, clothes, and a bat. He rushed over and began snatching items off his desk as I pilled the objects he requested and lifted them up. Although they were heavy, I was able to make it outside in a few minutes. Nathan was right behind me.

"Come on, your room now!" He shouted. But it was too late; the fire was already creeping to close to my room. Twix had stayed at my heel, and I told her to sit at this time.

"Nah, I got the important stuff, there's no time." But as I spoke tears began flowing down my cheeks at the thought of loosing all of my things. The heat from the fire radiated against us as we watched all we had grown up with burn down. It seemed like hours had passed when the fire department finally showed. Nathan had wrapped his arm around my shoulder comfortingly and sat, crying, along side me. Twix and Abe sat beside us, their heads on our laps. I hoped the cats were all right; I had already made sure they weren't inside while getting stuff.

I heard a small 'meow', as if questioning what had happened. I turned with Nathan and spotted Sam, our small gray cat, looking at us. I stood up, moving Twix's head slightly and picked him up. I came back over to my brother and sat back down, petting the questioning cat.

After what seemed a lifetime our parents appeared, fear written all over their faces. We hugged, talked, and cried, all of it then we got the animals in my dad's truck. After finding the other cat, Bubbles, we where able to leave our burning house, I had refused to leave with out her. Even as we pulled out the firemen were still fighting the blazing fire down.

More tears migrated down my already streaked face as I watched. My parents said we'd be staying with some friends, but I didn't really register it. Everything seemed fogged, like in a dream. I kept telling myself 'this isn't happening, this isn't happening...' But it was. I clutched Dr. Bear as we drove away, the fire lighting the dark night sky...

Sometimes it's hard to leave what you love, but what's done is done. It's fine to cry, it's normal to grieve, but it can't take over your life. Attachment can be hard, that's why some people don't ever get attached. But it a lot of cases it's worth it, worth the pain, because good eventually comes from it, if your lucky.