By Stewart Curtis, Jr.
Caribou Middle School
One person I consider to be my hero is my Uncle Darren. My uncle became my hero when he showed me how to play baseball, jump on the trampoline and to be a good swimmer. The first thing he showed me was how to jump on the trampoline and do tricks. He showed me how to do a front flip and back flip. Later that day, my uncle and I stayed outside and jumped on the trampoline for a long time. I loved to jump on the trampoline with him. It made me feel like he liked to spend time with me.
Another reason why Uncle Darren is my hero is because he showed me how to play baseball. When I became really good, I joined Little League. Next he showed me how to pitch, catch, play first base, second base and third. When my uncle taught me how to pitch, the only thing he told me was to follow through. When I got into catching he showed me that I should always keep my knees to the side so I don’t get hit “where the sun doesn’t shine.” My uncle always told me when I play first base and I get a grounder and there is a person on first, to tag the base and to throw to second to get double play. Second base was the hardest because there is a short stop on the other side and players had to take turns covering the base when there is a hit outfield. My uncle told me if there is a hit on left side, I have to go out and get the ball and say, “CUT, CUT.” If there is a hit on the other side of the base, I cover the base. On my third year of playing baseball we were going against Key Bank and my uncle was there cheering me on. I was up to bat and my uncle said, “Come on Bub, you can do it.” Then Austin threw the first pitch and I hit my first home run over to the other field. When I hit my home run it made the bat feel so good in my hands. I had a tingling feeling in my stomach. It felt good and made me feel like I hit that for my uncle. What my uncle told me was to follow through and to not have the bat on my shoulder, have it above my head. My uncle was so proud of me!
My uncle is a responsible guy because he has a good job at the rec, has a nice car and pays his bills for his car. My uncle shows up to work on time. My uncle is also kind because he always brings me to his house when I want to spend the night and he brings me to practices sometimes. He is also respectful to his parents and he always obeys them and cares about whatever happens to them. Next, my uncle is really smart because he is in 12th grade and he has all passing grades. My uncle is trying to get into UMPI for college.
If I could thank my uncle for the input he has had in my life, I would thank him for everything he has done for me and I wish I could pay him back but I can’t because he is a lot older than me. Some day I hope he could write about what I mean to him.
