A teenager shares her views on different things in her life.
I am a teenager, and I have some things that have been weighing heavily on my mind, especially now that school is about to start in a few weeks.
I am often picked on by certain classmates of mine because I am adopted, and at first, I saw adoption as a problem (had a little trouble at first trying to adapt to a new family and a new home, plus I hung around with gang kids for a while and often got into trouble), but then I realized that my parents were (are) only looking for my best interest at heart (they still are), and they weren't the monsters I perceived them to be. They were only doing their job as parents, and if I stepped out of line, I was disciplined for my infractions. Now I see adoption as a blessing because if it were not for my parents, I wouldn't have had a home or a family to call my own, and I probably would still be in foster care even today. Me and my little brother, Michael. (He is 3 years younger than I am. He is nearly 14 now.)
I also happen to be a Christian. I was "saved" when I was 15, two years ago, and Jesus has been instrumental in helping me get through the rough hurdles in my life. As I said, I used to hang around with gang kids, and I also got caught shoplifting a few times, but I have since straightened my act, and I now have a job I have been at for a year now; and I love it very much. I work at Golden Corral, as a line person/cashier, and I love it very much. (I work days on Saturdays and Sundays, and I work nights on Friday. I also work on Monday and Tuesday nights. I am off on Wednesdays and Thursdays.)
I am a responsible teenager (that is, I like to THINK I am). I don't drink, I don't party, and I don't take drugs; and I no longer associate with gang kids because they are nothing but trouble, and I would have probably been severely injured or worse had I joined up with a gang. Some of the kids I hung around with back then were either killed, or some, like Precious Gibson, are permanently paralyzed because they were shot by rival gang members. So I like to say that Jesus saved my life because He got me out of that situation, and now I watch my P's and Q'd, and I am much better off now than I was, say, two years back.
I am not a raving beauty (orange hair that goes down my back and nearly to my butt; I usually wear it pulled back, especially if at work; and green eyes; plus I have freckles over much of my body), but I am NOT ugly either. I get teased because of my red hair or my freckles; but that is okay. I can live with it. They are only jealous of me, and jealousy has no room in my book. For one thing, I am too DARN BUSY with work, church, or family life to even THINK of being jealous, and jealousy is a sin, so I don't even bother.
I used to have a problem with disabled kids, but when I was adopted into the family I still live with today, I learned quickly about disabilities, and I found out that kids with disabilities were just like me, only they were disabled. They used to make me uncomfortable, but now I don't see their wheelchairs, crutches, braces, glasses, hearing-aids, or other stuff; all I see are my brothers and sisters, and I love them all very much. They are all bright kids with so much to give, and they are so courageous in their daily lives. They don't let their disablities get to them, and they are more determined than ever to overcome them. That makes them heroes in my eyes, and they are very much admired by me.
I am also teased by other kids because of my handicapped brothers and sisters, but I try to ignore the rude or stupid comments, and I tell others just to get a life and stop bothering me. I don't get mean or nasty about it: I just tell it like it is, and I then walk away.
I still don't like country music, but I have learned to tolerate it because my parents and a lot of my brothers and sisters listen to it. I like Christian and pop music, and I also like rhythm and blues. I don't listen to hard rock any more because a lot of it is just noise, and I don't like the messages in a lot of the songs.
I am very big on fashion, but I am not obsessed with it. I don't go rushing to the mall to get a new ensemble each time I go; I usually watch what I buy, and I can't wear certain colors because of my coloring. I don't wear thongs, revealing shirts or blouses or high-cut shorts, not like I used to because that is only asking for trouble, and I don't like the guys whistling at me. It is embarrassing, and I don't want to call unwanted attention to myself.
I pay my bills; I have a car, and I pay on it each and every month. I also pay for needed maintenance or gas when it is needed, and I also pay for my clothes or my school supplies. I take care of my own business, and I don't want mom or dad paying for my things because they have more than enough worries as it is, what with all the kids or the bills, and I don't want to add to it.
People sometimes get mad at me because I don't do the party scene or go using drugs; and they think I stupid for being so involved in "religion" (as they put it), but I have been on the wrong side of the tracks, and I didn't like it ONE bit. So I straightened my life around, and now I am much better off than a lot of kids my age.
Sometimes I think it is better that way. I am indeed blessed, and I am a very fortunate girl. Life is very good right now, and right now, I wouldn't have it any other way!
I missed yet another one, but I am here now, and gladly reading your wonderful stories, I love the way you draw your readers in, and don't ever let them go...
God Bless
Michelle~
Reviewed by Larry Low
8/31/2003
Karen, Very powerful confrontations. I read almost all of your stories and will go back and read the remainder later. Larry
Ezra's a closeted medium. She's a novelist who writes stories about seeing dead people and claims they're fiction. Her life with Grant was peaceful until a rebel ghost named Jenna entered her life who doesn't like Grant. Allie, the resident ghost, li
