My name is Sonrisa Maria Elissa Gomez.  I am nine years old.  I live with my family in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  I was born here.

I have a mami and a papi, as well as one brother, Manuelo Garza, who is ten.  He is one year older than me.  In addition, our Abuela y Abuelo (Grandma and Grandpa) live with us, as does our Chihuahua puppy, whose name is "Dorito".

I am handicapped.  I was born with spina bifida.  I can walk with braces and crutches, but for longer trips, I use my trusty old wheelchair, as it's a lot easier on me, especially if we go somewhere like the mall or the zoo.

I don't mind being like I am, but I hate it when the other kids stare, point, or whisper among themselves, like I'm not even there.  It makes me very uncomfortable.

I'd like to see some of those kids spend a day in my shoes.  Then they wouldn't think it was so funny having to use crutches or sit in a wheelchair all the time!

When I grow up, I would like to be a teacher.  I want to teach kids who are like me.  My teacher is named Mrs. Tadder, and she is very nice.  She helps me with my work if I have a problem and she treats me like anybody else, which I appreciate.

When I am not in school, I like to write stories, paint, or draw, read, watch tv, play on my computer, go swimming or play on a girl's softball team in the summer (or go skiing or sledding in the winter), sing, go to church, collect butterflies, or go to Galveston, Texas, every year to see my other set of grandparents.  We go to Galveston every Christmas and I always have the best time!

My two favorite holidays are Christmas and the Fourth of July.  I love watching fireworks and I love parades or looking at the Christmas lights.  In addition, I love singing in the children's choir; next week is our Christmas program at church and I am singing a solo.  I am singing "Let There Be Peace On Earth".  I hope I do a good job!

I'm not nervous now, but I am sure the closer it gets to our Christmas program, I will be.  I will just have to make sure I practice and make sure I know the words by heart and not freeze up when I see the people in the audience!

Then, after our program, we get ready to go to Galveston, Texas, to see Grandma and Grandpa Dardez for Christmas! I canNOT wait!!!!

Well, I have to go.  It is time for my next class, which is music.  I love music and art the best at school, as well as English, which is where I am doing this.  I will write in here again soon; until later, this is Sonrisa Gomez saying adios!  Hasta luegao, amigos!  (That means "Goodbye!  I'll see you later!" in Spanish.  I speak both English and Spanish.)  God bless you too and Merry Christmas!!

~Love, your new friend in Oklahoma, Sonrisa.  :)

~To be continued.~