Kerisha's Climb

I’ve been doing this my whole life, but this time it just feels… different. Let’s back up, my name is Karisha Kyles, I am twelve and my life is climbing. Not the little rock walls at playgrounds, but real rocks, 30- 40 feet in the air, the big deal. Ever since I was three this has been my life.I used to live with my mom and dad and pet hamster. My mom was my biggest fan. She was an avid fan and mom. She was at every indoor race, every outdoor climb, every 6am training session. She was the best mom a girl could ever ask for… until the incident. Now it's just me and my dad, he has always been nervous about me climbing especially now, so yeah that's my life. I have been looking forward to this day for years, the National Girls Climbing Championships. The judges: Cara Longstern, Adam Roberts and my idol Lynn Hill. Two minutes and counting until my big debut. Usually I feel electrified before a race, like nothing in the world can stop me, but today it doesn't feel right without mom here by my side. I cover my hands with chalk to avoid the gruesome blisters that will probably come anyway. I look at my dad, he gives me a nervous thumbs up. I walk over to my starting line to begin the next part of my life without mom. 

Written by Annika Scott

Grade 7