time is of the essence {gaby}

So much time has gone by, and yet the district isn't what it once was. I remember the beautiful beaches before the tsunami destroyed them. The families running around without a care in the world. Happiness lingered in the horizon, but now it feels like all of that has gone away. Families are still torn apart. Loved ones missing. And yet life goes on leaving behind those who can't keep up. I lost so much, yet I still come to the beach every chance that I get. I still look through the rubble hoping to find my parents and my brother. Family dinners aren't a thing anymore - many nights I go to sleep hungry because I can't work. My legs don't allow me, and regardless of how many times I try to stand, I topple over like a child who's just learning the motions of walking. It's such a lonely life, and many nights tears have rolled down the side of my face. I want it all to become a dream, but I know it isn't. Every morning when my eyes open, I hope to see them, but now they're only a figment of my frail imagination.

Today is no different, and with candidates running for mayor, I wonder if anyone can help.

The sun sits high in the sky, birds fly before it disappearing behind the select few clouds. People move through the streets happily, and here I am, a boy bound to a chair. The doctors said it would last forever, and yet I want to prove them wrong. Surfing has been taken away from me. Fishing, swimming, all of that gone in the blink of an eye. I have nobody left to really care for, but one person. It's been a while since I've talked to her, and I wonder if she's okay, but today isn't about her.

I've set out on a mission to find the candidates. I want to talk to them. To get to know them. To figure out who I want running the district. There has to be more out there. A working class is needed. The district needs rebuilding. It needs help, but what can a crippled boy do? The waves stole my life away, and I want to take it back. I want to break the chains holding me down.

Moving is challenging, but my arms are benefiting from it. Rocks topple across the road, and if I'm not careful, they'll toss me out of my chair. Yet when I arrive, I know what to do. I'm looking around hoping and praying to find a candidate. One that can assist me and maybe answer some questions. That's when I see her. Spinning the wheels as fast as I possibly can, I make my way over towards her, calling after her, and I cross my fingers she hears me.

"Excuse me, ma'am, I was wondering if I could use a couple minutes of your time."