Because of Grace

Enjoy this touching story, titled Because of Grace, written by two of my good friends. +1 if you have a friend like Grace! Let me know in the comments if you like it. :)

She walked the same way she usually did, through the hallways to get to the front of the school where her mother waited. Andrea got into the car as her mom questioned her about her day. "How was school?” Andrea sat silently for a moment, opened her mouth and then closed it, like a fish in water. "Did you get bullied again?" her mom asked worriedly. There was a long pause. "Kind of." Andrea replied. Andrea looked out the car window and noticed the cruel, “popular” kids who tormented her nearly everyday. Andrea sat with a slight frown on her face but didn’t say a word until they got home.

As Andrea slowly trudged towards room 16 for 1 hour of detention, she thought of how dramatically her day had changed. She had awoken from a nightmare to find that in her mother’s absence, she had slept late and had to rush to school. Her multiple sidetracks, one being forgetting her homework, caused her to arrive almost two hours late. As she burst into the room she was met with unyielding stares from both teacher and students, and ended up receiving detention. Running her incredibly horrible morning over in her head, Andrea was glumly trudging and found herself intimidated by all the confident teenagers' stares in detention. She saw empty seats surrounding an extremely tall, lanky girl working on her homework, and decided that she looked friendly enough to sit near. The girl looked surprised as Andrea slowly pulled out a chair to sit next to her. She smiled, then said "Hi, I'm Gracelyn. Gracelyn McKay, but you can call me Grace."  Andrea smiled and waved, which is the closest she has ever communicated with someone at school. Grace smiled and said, " I know you don’t talk in school. I’m in Mr. Badeau and Mrs. Amherst’s classes with you. Need help with the homework?” Andrea politely shook her head and pulled out a binder covered with pictures of cats. Grace jumped slightly in her chair and exclaimed loudly, “ I LOVE cats! I have two cats at home. Hey, I know, how about we hang out today after school; we can finish our homework and you can meet my cats!" Andrea contemplated this and thought this seems like an unusual way to start a relationship off but…, but decided to call her mom after school to tell her anyway. Taking a quick glance at Grace, Andrea decisively opened her binder, ripped out a piece of binder paper, and slid over a note that read: "Okay, we can meet at the front gate after school!" Grace picked up the note and bursted out,"Yay! This is great! My mom can pick us up! Hey do you want to sit next to each other at lunch?” Grace’s enthusiasm led Andrea to wonder if this girl was shunned like her but maybe that would bond them. Finally, Andrea looked down with a shy smile and nodded.

  Months went by and ever since that first day, the girls clicked. Grace explained that she had a serious disease called osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that develops in teenagers, and despite this "disability", Grace was care-free and confident, which was something Andrea lacked. Andrea and Grace spent all their free time together working on Andrea’s confidence and voice until she had blossomed into a social butterfly. Grace’s charm and charisma rubbed off on Andrea and soon, she was speaking up in class and even won the annual speech contest. During the first few stages of the speech contest, Grace was always there to cheer Andrea on and when she received a standing ovation, nothing mattered but her best friend rooting for her. "Yay! Go Andrea!”  Grace yelled from the crowd, louder than anyone else. A small tear of joy dripped from Andrea's eye; as she walked away from the stage, she thought to herself, I can't believe this just happened. Me, Andrea Trevelyan, talking in front of hundreds of people. I never thought this would be possible. Never in a million years. But it was.

Everything was perfect, Andrea was advancing through the competition with her best friend by her side to cheer her on. Grace, Andrea, and her mom were on their way to Sacramento when they stopped at a hospital. Andrea awoke as her mother pulled the brake in a parking spot. "What's going on?” Andrea groggily said as she tried opening her eyes from her nap. "It's nothing. I'm just taking Grace in to have a check up; stay in the car until we get back.” A few hours later, Andrea and turned impatient and walked to the room the doctor had put Grace in, discovering that Grace had to stay in the hospital. Andrea was speechless with many thoughts running through her mind and tears running down her face as her mother tried to comfort her. Will Grace die? she thought, scared to know the answer. Grace's mother came as soon as she could; the doctor and Grace's mother talked in private but had the door opened a crack. Andrea could only see their lips move but knew the truth when she saw Grace's mother fall to the ground crying. As Andrea’s mother held her tightly, the doctor came over and delivered the news, announcing that Grace had about 2 weeks to live because the osteosarcoma wasn't treated properly five years ago, it was progressing at a terrifying rate, and there was nothing he could do. "May I please visit Grace?”, Andrea choked out between her tears. Grace's face lit up as she saw Andrea. "Hi, Andrea!” she said with a large smile. Andrea couldn’t believe how positive Grace was; being optimistic at a time like this demonstrated Grace's strength and courage. They hugged each other as Andrea cried and as her sobs subsided to hiccups and whispered, “I can’t do it without you, I can’t be the person I've become.” Making sure she understood, Grace said, “ You have to go on for me so it will all mean something!” At first Andrea couldn’t bare the thought of leaving Grace but it was clear she couldn’t do anything here. “Wait for me...please.”, Andrea said as she walked out the doors.

After giving her emotion-filled speech, which earned her first place, Andrea rushed to the hospital to show Grace the exciting news. Upon seeing her run in, Grace’s mother bursted into tears and finally choked out "I'm so sorry…but Grace is in a better place now." Andrea started to bawl as Grace’s mom tried to comfort her. "I know, I know," she said trying to get her to listen, "but she was so tired and just knowing that you would be able to make it without her gave her the courage to let go. Trust me, I know this is hard but it will get better, it will."

Months passed, and although Andrea would never forget Grace. She made new friends on the debate team, which was a new hobby she developed to live in Grace’s memory and keep true to what she taught her: to be confident and express herself. Andrea frequently found herself thinking, I lost the best, supportive friend anyone could ever have, but I got to experience her love, energy and inspiration. She would have wanted this.

POETRY COMPETITION!

Guys! We are having a POETRY COMPETITION! The rules:

1) Your poem can be about anything, as long as it is kid-friendly (would you give it to your little sibling to read?)

2) Your poem DOES NOT have to rhyme.

3) Your poem can be AS LONG AS YOU WANT! If your poem is a couplet, that's okay. If your poem is 300 pages long, that's great too. I'll have fun reading them all. :)

4) Anyone can enter this competition! I have absolutely no age restrictions!
5) Prizes, you ask? Well...I'm not saying anything!

Please reshare and +1! Let's get tons of creative entries. If you've got any questions or want some ideas, please comment below or email me at art4hunger@gmail.com.

A little inspiration (let me know if you want me to share some more pics to inspire your writing:

:) Goodnight, my friends! TGIF!

5 Facts that You Never Knew!

1) Two things I really enjoy are science and art. What comes to mind when you mix the two together? For me, a fascinating article from omgfacts.com. People have created artwork with fantastic images of microscopic art. Check out the results from countless entries - beautiful and breathtaking pictures. Which one is your favorite?

http://www.omgfacts.com/lists/17204/10-Microscopic-Images-That-Blur-The-Line-Of-Science-And-Art

2) Do you like chocolate? Or flowers? Or BOTH? Did you know that there is a competely normal looking flower out there that has a distinct scent of chocolate? Sounds pretty yummy to me! Check out this link to learn more about this incredible plant you never knew existed!

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=BELY

3) I bet you guys didn't know that the human body contains a small amount of pure gold! Weird, but true! Learn more at:

http://www.gold-traders.co.uk/gold-information/how-much-gold-is-found-in-the-human-body.asp

4) Ants with clear abdomens, named ghost ants, change to the color of the food they eat! Isn't that weird? Imagine feeding them blue food coloring, and watching them all turn blue!



http://geekologie.com/2011/06/eat-something-thats-glowing-transparent.php

5) Last one! What do you use bubble wrap for? Wrapping up fragile objects, right? It hasn't always been that way, though. Bubble wrap was originally created to be used as wallpaper! Find out more details at:

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/11/bubble-wrap-was-originally-designed-to-be-used-as-wallpaper/

Comment and let me know which fact you found the WEIRDEST!

Clover Haiku

Today, I feel really LUCKY for some reason...like I forgot to set my alarm, and I still woke up on time, my favorite food is still sitting in the fridge, waiting for me, and I have nothing, nothing at all, in terms of homework! Basically, a free day! I wish I had that luck potion from Harry Potter...so I could have more of these days...wouldn't that be cool? So...that got me thinking...about luck...and luck got me thinking...about St Patrick's Day...and St Patrick's Day got me thinking about clovers! They are so mysterious and fun to look for. I recall searching all over my elementary school field for a twenty minutes straight, seeking the incredible four-leaf-clover :O So that's what inspired today's haiku, which is smartly entitled, "Clover".

Clovers, oh so green

lucky, they say the things to be

you never know 

Don't forget to submit your own haikus! +1 if you love feeling lucky, and comment your most luckiest incident you've had!

The Last Piece - A short (or long?) Story

Hey guys! I am writing a short (or long?) suspense/adventure/idontreallyknowwhattocallit story. I will continually update this post with more of the story. Sometimes I will post a page, sometimes a paragraph, maybe just one sentence. I am in the middle of writing it, and have no idea how it will end. Follow my blog or check it periodically to read about one boy's amazing adventures. I hope you like it...so, here it is:

I sit on the ledge of my window, questioning my sanity. Why am I even considering jumping out into the ugly, snow filled streets of New York City below me...my life isn’t that bad just a new home. I mean what’s there to grieve?

It doesn't matter what they tell me. All the lies and useless trickery. I miss it all. I want to go back. Back to my sun. My beach. My blue sky. I had a purpose, a life, a world. I could help them with their spying, and feel like I was someone.

That was the start, they had said. Then when will it end? When will they stop? When will it be enough for them?

A few days ago we moved to the loud and annoying New York City. I hate the place more than anything. The cramped, disgusting city fills me with a sick and nauseous feeling inside. But of course the secret is above all, right? Above love, above life, above my happiness. Of course it is? In twenty years it has never changed. And it never will.

Don't tell me I am selfish. Don't tell me I signed up for this. I don't care. Nobody knows the whole story. I've got enough to deal with. I've got enough on my head. Don't bother.

What will happen, if she opens my room door? She believes us all to be gone. They can all rot, but what about her? Where is she now? Does she know?

For twenty years, have been running away from ourselves. And no matter where we went, we were always found. 

And she won’t be there.

I sent her a card. Well, almost. I wrote it and everything...But of course I can’t send it. Of course they wouldn’t let me.

Ugh, what horrible people. I know they are trying to help...but sometimes I feel like forgetting everything, refusing to help the world, being selfish. Sometimes, I just want to have some time to myself, to do what I want. Can they really blame me for that?

Apparently, we’re rich - you would think we had everything in terms of supplies. But nooo, of course we couldn’t. “Too risky” was all I got when I attempted to question how in the world we were going to survive on the run with a mere 200 bucks on our hands!

All we ever do is hide, hide, hide. We are a cowardly family now, more than a rich one, sitting at home, moving from place to place, disregarding any thought of movies or fun or an education.

She is there waiting for me, and what am I doing? I am hiding in this cardboard box of an apartment, while she slowly fades out of existence. I will keep on going. For her. She needs me. I cannot leave, I cannot stay, I cannot hide.

I am selfish. I am guilty.

I will leave tomorrow.

___________________________________________________________________

I am sitting in the plane. I feel feverish, and slightly lightheaded. When will I see her? In what state will I find her? I tug on each of my fingers in turn, my mind whirling in all directions.

I stare out my tiny window, my eyes glazing over, watching the clouds swirling into different shapes.

“Looking for her, aren’t you?”

“Yes. Where do I find her?” I ask the clouds.

“I have a feeling she won’t be where you’re heading.”

“And why is that?”

“She isn’t here anymore.”

“Then where??” I was confused. The clouds didn’t reply. I turned away, disgusted. The old lady sitting next to me stared.

I snapped at her, “What are you looking at?”

“Well…” She offered me a tissue.

“What?” I stared her down.

She pointed to my face. I was crying.

“Can I help?” she asked.

“No. Leave me alone. I wasn’t crying. I’m fine. I was...my eyes were watering. The light…yeah.”

She raised her eyebrows. “I might be able to help, you know.”

I looked up. The old lady reminded me of her, the same deep wise chocolate brown eyes and concerned mashed up eyebrows.

“Say I was...looking for someone. And...if I didn’t find her, I would - I couldn’t live with myself.”

Her eyes bored deep into mine. “It’s her, isn’t it?”

How do they always know? “Yes.”

“I have a feeling-”

I was wrong to have trusted again.

“that she isn’t where you’re heading? I don’t want to hear it! I am done with this, I cannot, will not! No. No. NO. She is still here. I know. I KNOW. If there is one thing in my life I ever knew-”

And then I black out.

________________________________________________________________________________

A flight attendant stood above be, her heavily makeup coated face scrunched in confusion and worry.

“Hello. Hi. Honey? Are you awake?”

I sit up. “What?” I was feeling annoyed, and I couldn’t remember anything. “What happened?”

Her eyebrows bunched together. “Well, sweetie. I’m not sure how to say this. What seat number are your parents in? I need to ta-”

“I have no parents.” I instantly felt guilty as I said it, then shoved it off. If they put so much responsibility on one young boy’s head, then maybe they weren’t much of parents at all.

“Oh, alright…” She was looking me over, trying to figure me out. Uh-oh. If she caught me on this one, it was hello NYC all over again.

I thought fast. “My orphanage has sent me to California to...go to my new parents, yeah. Their names are Mrs and Mr Reve.” I congratulated myself. This would get me to her pronto.

“Sure, whatever, kid.” She didn’t seem entirely convinced, but didn’t care enough to press the matter.

I sighed. Whew. Somehow got out of that one.

_________________________________________________________________

My knees were wobbly…hours had passed. I got off the plane, I looked up. 

The universe shifted. Everything had changed. The center of all of existence focused onto one concentrated point.

I stared down at the little yellow rose petal at my feet.

I picked up the petal, and I looked up at the sky. I promised myself that I shall avenge this disgrace. The rose petal was a sure sign. I will not tolerate this. I shall avenge her. I shall make sure that they all die.

Tell me I have a responsibility to them. Tell me that I should go back and help. Tell me I'm selfish. I don't care. I hear mumbles behind me. I know they are talking about me. I know everyone thinks I've gone crazy. I don't care. I don't care!

The last thing I see is the checkered, smooth floor of the airport.

_________________________________________________________________________

I wake up in a new place. They tell me I have a problem. They have forced me into a room by myself. I was surrounded by white. Chained to a white bed. Looking at blindingly white walls. Staring at a machine with squiggly lines. I looked at the door. Dr. Elaine Melrow. What is this place? And when can I leave?

 I need to leave. I need to go to them. I need to be left free. The captors would understand. Though they chained me here, they must have some heart.

At least one, in this group of thoughtless people, must have a sister.

The people in white are approaching me. Their eyebrows are touching the clouds. 

"Look," I say. "I don't know what you want from me. I'm tired, I'm trying to get home to my....parents, Mr and Mrs Reve. Please. I don't work for them anymore. There's no need to attack me."

Their eyebrows raise higher.

"Who do you think we are, Blake?" The woman took out some papers. Kristin Marello, MD, her nametag read.

What the heck?

"Blake, I'm your doctor. And we've had enough. It's time for you to go home."

___________________________________________________________________________

They were surrounding her. She screamed. Her eyes were wide open, the chocolate brown achingly beautiful. Her jeans and a blue princess shirt were ripped up. "Help," she pleaded. 

My eyes jerked open. I touched them. Wet. Must have been the light again.

Chairs surrounded me, an uncertain circle of people. I sat in the middle, my eyes wide as I took in the sight. Hundreds of people, weapons in their hands. Hundreds of people, their angry expressions twisted with hate. Hundreds of people, their eyes boring into mine.

A girl stood at the back of the room, eyeing me warily. 

"You aren't going to go monster on me, right?"

I sized her up. Green shirt. I don't trip, I do random gravity checks, it said. I laughed.

The audience behind us tensed. I have a vague idea that they want to kill me. The light is too bright, my clothes are ripped to shreds, and thoughts of my revenge dance attempt to get my attention.

But I don't care.

I glanced up at her eyes.

Deep, chocolate brown.

________________________________________________________________________________

The girl, she was all that I could look at. Everything was gone, everything left behind, except her. The world had frozen around me. Her eyes brought me towards her.

I reached into my pocket. I placed the card in her hands, the rose petal safely inside. 

She stared down at the card, and my heart filled with joy. Happiness. Everything was going to become right again. 

She was alive, she was well, she was here. My sweet sister. My best friend. My Grace.

She opened the card. She took out the rose petal. Her eyes filled with tears. She sighed, and the light hit my eyes again.

She ripped the card to shreds. And the rose petal fell to the ground.

"I am no sister of yours, you murderer," she spat. Her eyes darkened, and my heart stopped. She was just like the rest of them. She believed their lies. She had been brainwashed. 

She was as good as any of them now.

And at that moment, my heart beat for the last time. The sun stopped shining. All I saw was dark. I felt ice, and I felt hate, stronger than anything I know. There isn't anything here for me in this evil world. There is nothing left for me.

I grabbed the rose petal and ripped it to shreds. 

A flower, once so sweet and innocent and beautiful. A dying flower. I laughed, and my eyes gleamed. A dying flower.

So, guys, what did you think? +1 if you liked it and want to read more...Comment with what you think, whether you like it or hate it...what you think is going to happen next! Thanks for reading!

Changing the World - one Teen at a Time!

Somehow, today, you have arrived at my new blog. Maybe you spotted it on the internet and thought it looked interesting. Or perhaps you've seen my cards before. Maybe you recognize me from school.

However you arrived here, I created this blog so that I can share my mission with you. So here is my story:

I was a little girl, around seven years old. I believed in rainbows, sunshine, and the ghosts on Halloween. I was extremely excited when I arrived in India on vacation, taking in the shops full of bright clothing and unique merchandise. The rain was pouring down hard, but that didn't dampen my spirits. In a split second, everything changed.

A little girl, around the same age as me, was approaching us. She was practically skin and bones, with sticks for arms and legs. Her eyes looked tired and dead. Walking through the rain towards us, she softly asked, "Do you have anything to eat?" 

That night, I cried. 

In my short life, it had never occurred to me that some people didn't have food. I wondered where that girl was now, and whether she got enough to eat. I thought of her, battling through the rain, begging for food.

 I researched world hunger, and saw frightening numbers. While researching world hunger I was shocked to learn that our planet has been producing enough food to feed every single person since 1970. So, why are so many people starving? They don’t have the money to pay for sustenance. I was determined to find a way to make a difference.

At the same time,  before I knew how to read or write, I was telling stories. I would paint on large pieces of canvas. I had a zest for art and writing. It made my heart fill up with joy. It was something I loved then, and continues to be so to this day.

I put my overwhelming feelings gratitude and joy into my new nonprofit company.  I started this store as a sixth grader who is passionate about ending world hunger during my lifetime. 

I set up an Etsy store called Art4Hunger (http://www.etsy.com/shop/Art4Hunger ) that sells unique greeting cards to anyone around the world. These cards are made with photos of my original artwork starting when I was five years old. They are individually autographed by me. The back of most cards briefly describe my story behind the painting or my thoughts that inspired that artwork. 

I decided that 100% of the profits from all sales go to the Sacred Heart Community Service that feed thousands of hungry people.

That is why I created this blog. I made it to inform people about world hunger. I made it, knowing that every drop of water helps make an ocean. Together, we can eradicate world hunger. I can do this - with all of your help. Whether you decide to buy a card, comment below with suggestions for other ways to raise money, or simply tell your friends about me, I appreciate it all. Because I know that what one person cannot do alone, we ALL can do together. :)