3/642 Things to Write About

Tell a story that beings with a ransom note:

"You have 24 hours to give us $10 in pennies, or your penguin gets it"
Written with individual magazine letters accompanied with a picture of the 3 foot tall light up plastic penguin my father kept outside, wrapped in rope and duct tape. This is what I came home to from school in the winter of 2002 when I was in 7th grade. My father's peaceful penguin was taken by my older brother's friends. A fun prank that sparked a something in me. A wish to have many friends and them doing clever silly things.

I was recently post-thyroid treatment, it had been less than a year since I had my 'problem'. I had lost all of my friends, a lot of weight, and a good deal of my hair. I still felt alone and abandoned, though making amends. I dreamed of the future - a mature teenager, skinny again (I gained nearly 50 pounds after my thyroid was destroyed), with true friends and an understanding of who I was going to become.

I was never angry at what happened to me, only angry at how others treated me for it. Not my family - they were the only ones there for me, taking care of me, loving me. It was how my friends treated me, or at that point, lack of friends. Teachers treated me horribly, I failed every class in the 6th grade. I should of been held back, but my parent's wouldn't let it happen. I had ADD in a different form, when they gave me riddlin it made my condition worse. I don't remember most of that year, but I excelled in academics afterwards. I looked to a time where it would be forgotten, where I could make up for my illness and know who I was. At 12, I was lost.

I always wanted silly, simple adventures such as 'The Penguin Incident' to happen to me, something my family would always remember and smile on. I'm still learning thought, you can never plan or predict such moments. I will always be my own person with my own friends. I can't push for adventures unless I go out there and live. Being me isn't easy, being anyone isn't. Living is hard work, and that's ok, as long as we know it and work at it. I believe this is our one life, we shouldn't live it in fear.

Most regret comes from the regret of not doing something, rather than doing something. I always try to remember that. Do more things, try more things. Live.

Remember the penguin.

© Ash Huntley