So, this is just an essay from my Writers' Workshop class. Ad I'm only posting it here because my friend wants to read it...so...yeah.

There’s something magical about cotton swabs. The way that the little tuft of cotton embraces my ear with a gentle kiss, removing it of any impurities and tickling the canal as it wiggles its way out; even when it has finished its job, I can’t help but grab another just to feel its soft tickle against my ear one more time. While cotton swabs are indeed magical little ear cleaning creatures, it’s not exactly the paper wrapped stick and cotton tufts we’re attracted to — no, it’s the soft sensation we feel from it, the warmth of the cotton, the gentleness of its fluff. We as humans crave gentleness in our lives, whether it is in the form of a soft, feather pillow or a tiny, magical cotton swab.

The first glimpses of gentleness start even before birth; the warmth and comfort of being inside of momma’s belly is what keeps us alive, even when we are just the size of a pea — her gentle hand brushing against her stomach and her soft, caressing whispers seem to touch us before we even know her face. Our first few weeks of life, as she cradles you in her arms with you wrapped up in a warm blanket, we’re embraced with all the gentleness that mothers, fathers, siblings, grandparents, aunts, and uncles could ever possibly supply. As we begin to grow, the way we’re embraced with gentleness morphs; from age one, with parents tucking their baby into the crib, handing over its favorite plushie; at age five, a mom gently wipes over a cut, kissing it softly before applying a bandage; at age twelve, a brother gives a comforting hug after an intense argument. The older we get, however, the soft, warm hugs and the sweet kisses become more and more scarce, but the gentleness becomes more abstract. A reluctant boss’ careful letdowns come when we fail to acquire that longed for promotion; a long session of yoga, with the music cascading in a smooth and steady flow over the room, leaves us at peace; the cute way a newborn squirms in soft arms; the gentle kisses a grandchild leaves on cheeks as we grow older and reach our prime.

Gentleness manifests itself also in many other forms — in the colors we see and in the aromas we smell. Innocent patches of pink flush across the porcelain cheeks; bright sprigs of new green grass emerge from the cool, brown earth; fluffy puffs of white clouds are splattered across blue sky. Faint lavender holds us close as the candle burns; a fresh, clean bed sheet comforts us after a long, stressful day; delicious double chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven fill us with joy and expectation.

The words that leave our mouths are gentle; phrases like “I love you” and “I miss you” caress the ears as they are spoken to a loved one through a phone as they sit miles away from each other. Fun limericks and rhymes flow easily off the tongue as they dance off the pages of a book, careening their way over to a young child. We say goodnight as one slips into their soft bed, closes their eyes, and falls asleep, looking forward to a long night of peaceful sleep and a brand new bright morning — and then there is the alarm clock.