David Gross 373

English comp 1

Miss Bolduc

April 22, 2000

On Monday Lord

It was a usual Friday, the beginning of my senior year. This weekend I was going to a youth retreat to learn how to win my school for Jesus. So the day was going rather slow since I was so excited. Little did I know that this weekend would change my life. I would learn a valuable lesson the hard way about witnessing.

Curt and I were in woodworking classes tougher since ninth grade. Mr. O'brien our teacher gave us the opportunity to teach the freshmen's class for a day. Teaching the class how to change blade on a big machine was fun, It took the whole class period, and we still were not done there was two more bolts that had to be loosened. The bell rang, and we were the only two left Mr.O'brien went to get a wrench. All alone the Holy Spirit told me softly, tell him about Jesus, I said," But lord I will do it on Monday after the retreat." I said. Mr.Obrien walked back in with the wrench. Told us he would finish fixing the machine. So We both left to eat lunch.

The retreat was more than I expected . The services were great. With long worship that made you cry . Time at the altar, even a candle light service showing how even if there is just one Christian in school there is light.

I was so fired up full of the Holy Spirit ready to win my school for Jesus. Curt was the first one on my list. This time I was going to Obey the Holy Spirit. There was nothing going to stop me from telling him, this time. I was not going to fear witnessing, or be shy.

Sitting in my first period class I was all excited and could not wait till 5th period, the morning announcements came on as usual "please stand for the pledge..."come on the air.

Then Ms. Oraplolo the principal said "students at Northport once again a tragedy has occurred. they were hit head on driving down 25a. one student is in the hospital with two broken legs, and in a coma, The other student Curt Sweeney was fatally injured and died of a ruptured spleen..". What No! it can't be I looked around the room everyone was crying it was true Curt was dead, I couldn't swallow, my heart felt like it died, I couldn't believe it. Curt was dead. As the day went in slow motion, I dreaded 5th period furniture making class. I started crying as I walked into the shop. Not only was Curt gone but I had missed the chance to tell him about Jesus. The guilt was overwhelming to me. I couldn't help but blame myself . wondering where Curt was. Going to the wake with Mr. Ob and seeing all the hundreds of students who new Curt was the hardest thing I ever did.

This was a hard thing for me to deal with I learned many things from this experience. Curt's death taught me that you should not wait for the time when you feel ready to witness, because it could be the last chance you have, ever