Hello!  My name is Cleveland Morris Thibodeaux.  I am 12 years old and live with my family near Gueydan, Louisiana, right in the heart of Cajun Country.  (Yes, I am a Cajun, in case my name didn't tip you right off.)

I was born in Houma, but hae been raised inGueydan.  I am going to be in the 7th grade come September; this will be my very first year in middle school.

I have my parents as well as my grandmere and grandpapa (they're Maman's folks), and I have three brothers (all younger).  The names of my brothers are Craig, Carston, and Cameron; they are six, eight, and ten.  I don't have any sisters, which is fine with me.

I like to fish, hunt, play my accordion (have played the Cajun-style accordion since I was six, the current age where Craig is at now), draw, write stories or poems (usually about life here in the Louisiana bayou country), play video games on my computer, and annoy my younger brothers (HA!).  I love to play sports, too: football, soccer, baseball, track ... you name it; as long as it's exercise, I love it!!  It's no wonder I'm so skinny!  (Never could get any meat on my bones!)

When I grow up, I want to be a fisherman, just like my daddy.  Fishing is what Daddy does for a living.  Some years we have a lot of money but on others, not so much.  Then Daddy has to take in a second job (usually as a factory worker) to help keep up with the bills.  Maman, meanwhile, stays home with us kids and also takes care of grandmere and grandpapa (they're both disabled and have health problems).

I have a dog, a Catahoula Hound Dog named "Beau": he's dark brick red with white on his chest, face, and all four paws, and he has ice blue eyes.  He's really handsome, as far as dogs go, and he goes with me everywhere, especially if I go hunting or fishing or go outside to play.  He's my bestest buddy.

My best friend used to be Brycen Ray Abshire, but he moved to Lafayette last fall.  I sure do miss him a lot!  He moved to Lafayette because his little sister, Brennalyn, has special needs, and the family needed to be closer to a good hospital that could handle her complex medical situation.  Anyway, Brycen and I met in kindergarten and we remained the best of friends until last fall, when Brycen moved.  

I have friends now, but they aren't anything like Brycen: with Brycen, I could tell my deepest, darkest secrets and he would never get mad at me if I screwed up.  And we could talk about anything under the sun!  He was certainly one of a kind; there will probably never be another one quite like Brycen Abshire!

Well, that is my story.  I will write in here again soon.  Please pray that I find a new best friend before September.  I don't want to look like a loser on the first day of school!  Thanks in advance!

~Cleveland.

~To be continued.~