Maya Hand

(April, 2010) Hi. My name is Maya. I am 9 years old and I go to Mother Seton School and dance at the Taneytown Dance Center. My talents and hobbies are dancing, singing, drama, art, L.A., writing poetry, and last but not least, science.

Right now I’d like to tell you a story about when I met an angel. I was in Virginia, and I was at Fuddruckers, a hamburger restaurant. I was on vacation staying at my grandma

s house. As I was sitting there, at the restaurant with my family, I was thinking to myself, "everyone working here seems so happy." The radio was on in the room.

There was a friendly woman mopping the floors and humming to herself. She seemed so nice and caring. She seemed so joyful. She seemed like such a wonderful person. I wanted to talk to her, and know her, and be her friend.

When she came over to our table to see if we needed anything, I joked with her and said that I wanted to be a worker there because everyone seemed so happy. She told me that I could work there whenever I wanted. She explained to me that I should always try to make the best of whatever I am doing and to follow my heart. That no one could steal my joy.

Her words inspired me and made me smile. She told me that no matter what happened, no matter what people said to me, they could never, ever, steal my joy. After that long talk, we left the restaurant. And I left the restaurant with a big, bright smile on my face.

That talk made a big impact on my life. I think it was meant to. I think it was really meant to help me with my life, with struggles I might have. I think I will really need it. A few minutes ago I felt really emotional thinking about that experience and its impact. Not because I was sad, but because the talk I had with her, the way it makes me feel, is so touching, so beautiful, so inspiring, so wonderful, so amazing, that it will always be in my heart.

This morning, when I was talking to my mom, I was worried about who would be reading this. I was worried about what to write. But she told me to just be myself, be creative and write what I think and feel about things. So that’s what I’m doing right now.

I am in chorus this year. This past winter, in chorus at school, we were having our Christmas pageant. Before I left for school, I was feeling sick to my stomach. I was feeling better by the time I arrived at school. As I was singing A Hot Cup Of Cocoa, I started feeling really bad. Like really, really bad. "Now!"

I thought to myself, "I need to get off the stage and I need to get off now!" I could tell a teacher when I got backstage, after the song. "Just after this song," I thought to myself. "Just after this song!" But then, I started to wobble very slowly. Round and round, round and round I went. Everything started getting blurry. What was I going to do?! I needed to get off the stage! Now! But then, COBLAM!!!!! I had fainted smack on the chin!

I woke up when some people were carrying me off the stage. I threw up backstage twice. They took me to the Faculty Lounge. My legs were shaking and shivering, and it wasn’t because I was cold. I didn’t like how it felt at all. I asked my mom to hold my legs down. Whenever she let go of them I would ask her to hold them again.

Lots of good people were helping me, and two men walked into the room and asked me questions. Mommy came with me as I was rolled out to the ambulance. When I found out that my chin was split open, I was really nervous and scared. I didn’t want to go to the hospital. "At least I don

t have to get stitches," I thought. I was getting skin glue. But once I got to the hospital, I discovered that I WAS getting stitches because it would work better than glue. I really didn't want to. I was starting to wish I hadn't gone to perform at the Christmas pageant at all.

I had a CT scan first. Then, I got my stitches. When I got my stitches they put special medicine on so it didn't hurt. It didn't even tug. The doctor did a wonderful job. She made nice tight stitches and didn't hurt me at all. Once she was finished, I didn't want to look at my stitches so she put a band aid on top. I was wondering what my friends would think when I came back to school. I was wondering who had been watching the pageant.

We stayed at the hospital until about midnight. Once I got home, I was exhausted. I took a shower and went to bed. I stayed home for one day. The next morning I was excited to see my friends at school. I was excited for the Christmas parties and celebrations. My experience on stage and at the hospital, what I had been through, did not steal my joy. I returned to school with a smile on my face and a good attitude, looking forward to all the holiday fun ahead.

Maybe you can use this expression if you ever need it and remember, no matter what happens to you, be strong and nothing can steal your joy.