Indian Girl

Indian, Indian on my knee,
Indian, Indian look at me.
So sweet and small my little brave,
Quiet as a mouse and so well behaved.

Soft through the underbrush quick like a deer,
Making bird calls for your far friend to hear.
Speaking whispers but running fast,
Spring through the trees to your place at last.

Met we did on a long summer day,
Me at my work and you at your play.
You looked at me, eyes big and wide,
Peeking through grass but I saw you hide.

I smiled at you and you grinned back,
I looked to give you something from my pack.
A sweet candy handed to you,
Friendship began as the day became new.

That day we spent the afternoon together,
You braided my hair and I gave you heather.
Friendship won in a single day,
Together forever you're never faraway.

Together we share the summer nights long,
Sitting together we sing endless songs.
Days of fun and mischief too,
We run through the grass legs soked with dew.

Sweet little brave you and I,
Dance together beneath the sky.
I see wonder in your face.
We take it together, the days' long pace.

Indian girl here with me,
I've loved you and you set me free.
Together to sing and to run, be who you'll be,
Woman and child at last set flying free.


*****
Photo Credit: Pinterest.com

Giant Days - A Book Review

I picked it up spur of the moment as I was walking out of my local library. It was on a shelf full of recommended books and, after reading a short blurb about it, I decided to pick up Giant Days. Historically, I have been an avid comic book reader; I have a few copies of my favorite series and when I was younger comics were all I read. I wasn't really into the Marvel or DC comic books about superheroes; instead, I read indie and Christian life comics. I was a fan of the comic versions of Ted Dekker's Circle and Lost Books series and owned a few copies in the Serenity series. All that is to say, I liked comic books.

As I got older, though, I started reading bigger books and more chapter books. While I still enjoyed rereading the occasional comic book, I much preferred the imagination stimulus of non-comic books. But I've never stopped enjoying comic books when the right one surfaces; they're a fun read and give me a real appreciation for the artist's work and talent. Giant Days, written by John Allison and illustrated by Max Sarin, is the story of three college students in England and their daily battles with adulthood. It's a wonderful story and enjoyable to read.

Susan, Daisy, and Esther come from three completely different worlds and all have their own distinct personalities. Susan is a responsible, smoking, med student from Northhampton. Daisy is a sweet, formerly homeschooled bundle of joy and encouragement, and Esther is a rich, ghostly pale Goth girl who would rather spend her time partying than studying. While these three girls are completely different, they somehow end up best friends. Maybe it started because they shared a hall at university but eventually they can't see making it through the end of the term without each other. They all came to college with different goals and different expectations, but once they experience college life, their goals change to simply making it to the end of the semester without going completely crazy. Along for the ride are the girls' hallmates, McGraw and Ed - Susan's ex boyfriend and a adorkable nerd who has a crush on Esther - respectively College is a whole other world all on its own and these five need to help each other survive it.

I really did enjoy this comic series, I've only read the first five volumes but based on their quality, I can say that each continuing issue is a great read. Written in short sections, each book continues the previous one and they all flow together very well. All the characters are incredibly unique and really grow on you as the story progresses; everyone seems very organic and real. I guess you could say that this whole series is a walking college stereotype and all the characters add to that. Since this is a contemporary comic and because of the way our world is today, there are a few interesting themes in Giant Days. One of the characters struggles with the LGBTQ view and is unsure if she is part of it, a few characters have relations with each other (but only the morning after is included in the comic frames), and there are a few times when characters get drunk or high on drugs (but the books don't condone that). It all comes down to what you're comfortable reading about and how that will affect your worldview, so please use good judgment if you give this comic a try. Aside from that, though, Giant Days is a fun comic series that honestly portrays life at college and all the new things that a person can experience there. Well written and beautifully drawn, this comic is worth a read.

Photo Credit: Thirdeyecomics.com

An Elle and Dell Beginning

The night sky is a dull, grayish black clouds mixed with city smog. This haziness hangs over the whole city in a thick blanket, smothering everything. But somehow from these grey clouds pure white snowflakes are falling.

They're so tiny and delicate, floating on the wind and dancing up and down. The wind is blowing colder now and harder, tossing the flakes around, up and down and together and apart, mixing them all together in a great white blur. Some of the flakes melt as they float closer to the lit cigarette in my hand, its glow illuminating a glistening white flake for and instant before it destorys it.

I sigh as I hold the cigarette up to my mouth and then suck in a puff of smoke. I let the taste roll over my tongue for a few moments, allowing the tangy, burning smell, to fill my nose before I let it go, blowing the smoke into the swirling snow. Who could have guessed I would end up here in New York City the day before Christmas, all alone with only my cigarette for a friend? This is not how I though I would be spending my holiday, let alone my life. 

As I gazed back into the snow from my apartment balcony, my mind wondered over the last few years. How far I had fallen. How wrong my friends had been when they had said I would go the farthest after high school. They used to say, "Ellie Widenburge is so smart she'll be a doctor or a lawyer of something else important like that.

True, I had started my first month at medical school fresh - faced and ready to take on the world and its knowledge. But then things had happened. One thing after another, all leading to that final straw only a few weeks after the beginning of the semester. I had slowly lost interest in being a doctor and dropped out completely soon after. I guess i just couldn't get back on my feet after that. So I had let the years slip away from me and, with them, the few good friends I had; I really didn't have anyone now.

But this was no time to think about the past. After all, it had already happened; besides, my cigarette was almost finished and I needed to buy a new pack. It was no less cold inside my apartment than outside but I was use to it. Throwing on my thickest jacket and gloves, I grabbed up my wallet and headed out the door.

Twenty flights of stairs and a vending machine stop later, I was on the dark street below. Turning towards the busiest street, I began shuffling down the sidewalk that was all too familiar to my step. I'm sure if you'd looked closely, you'd be able to see the worn down cement where my feet often dragged.

The snow was still falling but lighter now. The gray clouds still hung over my head and the buildings nearby seemed to press down on me as I shuffled closer to the corner drugstore. If these houses and buildings could talk, I'm sure they would not be able to count how many times I had passed by them; I couldn't even remember. I often imagined the people in the nearby high rises looking out of the windows seeing me every day and judfing me as they lived their cozy lives; it used to bother me but after a while I had became numb to it.

I was close to the store now; I could practically see the door. My mind began to wander again but not far enough that I didn't hear it. I listened. The sound of a single bell, clear and perfect, was piercing the night air; it rang out so sweetly, almost like a singer's voice.

As I continued to walk, it became louder and even sweeter. It was coming from the drugstore. Something about the sound's pealing pulled me towards it so much so I couldn't stop myself, and, as if I had no control over my own body, me feet began to run. Closer and closer to the bell I came, my ears only hearing the ringing. It sounded so beautiful and out of place on this dreary night that I just had to find the source!

And there it was. On the corner of the store sidewalk, draped in a red apron with a towel on her head stood a lady ringing a tiny silver bell and making it sing with all her might. I stopped running. I stopped completely. All I could do was stare at the woman, and then she looked up.

I gulped. Now what? This was awkward. What should I do? I thought the woman would scowl at me and be angry for staring so I prepared for what I thought was coming, an outburst of annoyance thrown in my general direction.

But, instead, the woman just smiled and stuck a gloved hand up into the air and waved. When I didn't wave back she called out, "Merry Christmas! Ma'am, are you having a good holiday?"

"Yeah...I guess," I stammered, finally remembering to wave.

"Excuse me, ma'am," she said as I got closer. "Have you heard the good news?" Christmas is a very special time, but not the way you're thinking. Did you know that there was a king born on this day a long time ago, and did you know that he loves you?"

What was she talking about? It sounded like she was just speaking nonsense. Whatever it was, I didn't want to hear it, but how to get away from this lady? There was nothing to do but walk past her and into the store, which I finally did but only with a great amount of effort.

After buying my pack of cigarettes, I waited just inside the door. I didn't want to walk past the bell ringer again; it would be too embarrassing. But there was no other way out except the main doors.

Maybe she would leave. But she didn't; she just kept standing there, ringing the bell and smiling at everyone who walked in or out.

Oh, whatever! I had endured embarrassment before; I could do it again. So, pulling my coat around my shoulders, I opened the door and stepped quickly past her. She didn't try to stop me; I didn't even think she saw me.

And, when I was a couple of feet away from her, I looked back. She was still ringing the bell. Whew! Thank goodness she wasn't offended by my staring and, better than that, she hadn't seen me leave. She wouldn't have another chance to preach to me about Christmas. Or so I thought.

I turned to go home and then heard, "Have a nice holiday, ma'am! God loves you!"

I whirled around, "What?" I called back.

"God loves you, ma'am!"

Why had she said that? She didn't even know me! Was the only question pounding in my head all the way home and all that night and even the next morning. I realized I really shouldn't have been so ruffled by the encounter, though it had caught me off guard. But what did it really matter? I was never going to see that lady again, so I should just forget it.

It was Christmas Day, and what a rotten one at that. I guessed Christmas is the loneliest holiday ever - well, aside from Valentine's Day - but that was beside the point.

I was sitting in my living room once again with a cigarette  in my hand. But I wasn't smoking it so it was just filling the room with fog. I was debating putting it out and going back to bed when the door bell rang. Sighting, I got up from the couch and went to unlock the door.

I was not prepared for the little woman standing there. In truth, I could barely see her over the giant basket of food she was carrying. But I could tell it was her, the same lady from last night. The bell ringer.

"Oh my! Well, isn't this a surprise. I had no idea you lived here, ma'am, but let me introduce myself; Dellphine Whit. But most everybody - and you - can call me Dell. I just wanted to drop off a few Christmas goodies to the people in this part of town," she babbled.

I stood frozen to the ground. What was that I had said about never seeing the bell ringing again?

Dell continued. "Don't look so shocked, honey, I'm not trying to scare you or anything. It really is amazing what God works out. I had a feeling you needed help."

"Excuse me, what? You know, lady I don't care. You're just freaking me out and I really don't feel like buying whatever you're selling."

"I'm not selling anything but the truth."

"Well, bah. I don't want to hear it! I've heard about you people, you Christians, coming around on Christmas selling a bunch of mumbo jumbo just to make yourself feel better. I don't want to hear it so please get off my front step!" I bellowed.

"All right, dear. Just please take the basket. It's Christmas," Dell said irritatingly calm.

Then she turned around and left.

Picking up the basket which she had left behind, I stalked back inside and slammed the door. I almost threw it away - I didn't need it after all - but on top was a little card and it stopped me. All it said was, "Christmas is about love, and we love you. Inner City Hope Mission, 2366 East Avenue."

I don't know what it was but something made me keep the card; I didn't want to let it go. In fact, I wanted to find out more. At least it would give me something to do.

The building looked like any other on the block, tall and made of brick with soot and grime blanketing the sides. I looked up at it three days after Dell had stood at my front door, I scoffed to my self, "Some place of hope. It looks like it could fall apart in two minutes."

Oh, but something about it stopped me from continuing. I looked up into one of the many dirty windows. It looked warm inside almost cozy; it almost seemed to glow with a special light. Inside I could see a little girl sitting by herself on an old but soft looking coach. She seemed to be glowing to. Was she reading something? A book? I wondered what it was; I felt like I had to find out. So without thinking I walked over and opened the door, and then I was inside. It was cozy with warm lights shining from every corner. I walked over to the girl.

"What are you reading?" I asked.

She looked up at me with the most clear blue eyes I had even seen, "I'm reading the Bible, 1 John 4: 27."

"What does it say?"

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God," she read. Closing the book she smiled up at me.

What was it about these Christians, why did they always smile, and not just normal smiles, a kind of care free hopeful smile that I just couldn't let myself believe. But something in my heart twinged, like a guitar string. I sat there in the warmth, completely frozen.

"Love," I mumbled. "Who could ever love me?"

"I know who," the little girl said.

Had I said that out loud? She didn't give me a chance to remember.

"God could and does love you, and so do I." 

Life Uploaded - Book Review

In the last few years YouTube has become a cultural phenomenon, with countless videos about anything you can think of: make-up, fashion, gaming, pranks, music, just to name a few. And with the rise of YouTube has come the discovery of hundreds of internet personalities who share their experience and expertise through easy-to-make videos. Each of these YouTube stars has a different reason for making videos; some just make them to reduce boredom, others to start a lifelong career or as a stepping stone to higher fame, and some people make videos to express their personalities to the whole internet world. No matter why any one person makes videos, YouTube is a vast world of its own. Sometimes the life of a YouTuber can seem unreal and glamorous through the lens of a camera, but here is a book that can challenge that idea. Life Uploaded by Sierra Furtado tells what it's really like to be a YouTuber, giving readers a behind-the-scenes look at what YouTubing is all about.

Harper Ambrose just wants to be noticed - by the kids at school, her friends, and especially Jack, the boy she has liked since second grade. But Harper has never been popular and now that she's in high school her awkwardness seems to have multiplied tenfold. She's just too shy to act boldly out in public; what if she embarrasses herself horribly? But that changed when she discovered YouTube. Without pressure from prying eyes or critical comments from bullies, Harper was able to bring her wonderful personality to light to the applause of hundreds of fans. But now she has a new problem. It was hard enough to balance school and a social life before, but now with her newfound fame, Harper has to literally juggle her YouTube career with school, friends, her off-and-on romance with celebrity Dalton James, and worst of all an online Twitter troll who is trashing her reputation. Who said being a teenager is easy? But it's nothing compared to being a famous one.

This was a very interesting book to read. I normally do not read books of this style or genre, but this was an interesting experiment to expand my reading repertoire. Sierra Furtado is herself a YouTuber, so I trust her interpretation of YouTube life, though I do believe that the teenage drama in this book is overly exaggerated. I do suggest with this book that parents use their own discretion and pre-read it before letting children 13 and under read it. It contains mild but frequent cursing as well as bullying - physical as well as cyber. Speaking for myself, I found I could not fully enjoy the book considering these aspects. This was a read that I would say is just fine; it was not the best read ever but it certainly was not the worst. While I did not particularly enjoy this book, I will be trying more books in this genre in the future.

A Father

A father is a man of wisdom, a man to be admired by all who know him. He is a man who loves his children with all his being. He loves them so much he would put himself in any danger to protect his loved ones. Father's Day has been made to celebrate Dad and it is a brilliant idea. But let your dad know how grateful you are every day - not just Father's Day. If your father is no longer alive, be grateful for the time you had with him. If you had a falling out with your father, try to make things right; you don't know how long he'll be around. You should try as hard as you can to have good memories of your father. Your dad won't always be there. So while you can, let him teach you all he knows so you can model his wisdom. There is no better way to say, "Thank you, Dad", than following his advice.

Photo Credit: Gil

A Friend for Life

You have many friends. You spend hours talking, laughing, having fun. But one by one your friendships fade. One friend is killed in a car crash, another simply turns his back on you, another drowns in a lake. Friendships will dissipate. But you have one friend who will never disappear: Jesus, your friend for life. He will help you though the hard times, laugh with you in the happy times. He'll just sit and listen it you need to talk to someone, and he'll still love you even if you turn your back on him. Friends will come and friends will go, but you can always count on Jesus, your friend for life.


Photo Credit: More Good Foundation

Friendship

Friendship is a thing someone should always be able to depend on through sun or rain, valley or mountain. If a person should lose a friend , they have lost a part of themselves which is hard to replace. But the ultimate friendship is the one we have in Jesus; he will be there for you no matter what. All you have to do is ask him to be your best friend and he will accept. No matter what other friends do, he will hold your hand and give it a reassuring squeeze when you need it.




Photo Credit:Angela Marie Henriette