My name is Marcela Grace Rodriguez.  I am 14 years old but look more like nine or ten. 

I am very short for my age.  I also don't have any chest or much in the way of hips.  I look like I should belong in elementary school instead of high school.  A lot of the kids are way taller than me and I oftentimes get teased about looking so much younger than my age.

It's the pits.  I'll be glad when school lets out for Christmas vacation: that way I don't have to put up with the catcalls any longer; I can actually spend time with my family and not worry about things such as this.

I live with my family in New Orleans, Louisiana.  I was born in Havana, Cuba, but we moved here when I was a year old.  I have been to Cuba several times to visit my abuela, who still lives there; several cousins live there, too. 

For Christmas, we are going to my Tia Dorcas' house in Metairie; we go there just about every Christmas; it's tradition.  We then go to midnight mass on Christmas Eve, where they have a candle light service; we then get home and open some of our gifts (one or two, maybe three at the most) and then go to bed so Santa Claus can visit the younger kids (actually Santa is none other than Papi and Mami, who put out the gifts while the little kids are sleeping).  It's always fun.

On Christmas morning, after we get done opening the majority of the presents, we sing some of the carols and then make a birthday cake for Jesus and reflect on the year, not to mention, enjoy each other's company.

All I want for Christmas this year are two things: for the other kids to stop teasing me and for all this sensless killing and violence in our nation to stop.  On Friday 26 people were gunned down (20 kids ages 4 to 8, and six adults, including the gunman, who killed himself before police even arrived on the scene); this happened in Connecticut.  It is bad any time this happens, but the fact that it happened so close to Christmas makes it even more heartbreaking.

I just can't imagine the heartbreak these families must be facing.  My heart bleeds and all of a sudden, the fact that I am late in developing seems very unimportant.

Mami and Papi have taken me to doctor after doctor, trying to see why I am late, but to no avail.  The doctors, they keep telling me that people develop at different rates.  I just happen to be one of the late bloomers and unless I don't have anything show up by this time next year, then maybe they will see what is causing it.  I sure hope they find out something soon 'cause I hate looking like a little kid, even though I am in high school!

Well, Mami and Papi made enchiladas for supper, so I will go.  I also have school tomorrow, but only a half day, as we start our Christmas vacation for two weeks.  Goodie! I can't wait!!!!  Take care and God bless; this is Marcela Rodriguez signing off! Adios!

~Marcela.