The breeze flows freely from town to town making it’s way to my lungs. As it revives my body I can’t help but to smile. It’s a miracle. Evidence of life is everywhere. I can hear the chicks singing to their mamas, their safety. Their song rings in my ears, and I close my eyes to soak in the sun on my face.

I love that I can have a dad to protect me at home. He provides a shelter for me with a promise to defend.

I love having a mom to nurture me when I’m lost. Even her cold hands warm my heart.

I love being greeted by my siblings in the morning and petting an animal on my way to school. I know I am never alone.

I love that I am sent to a school that I find confidence in. I will be safe. I will be educated.

I love waving at my neighbor through windshields even if I don’t know their name.

I love sticking my hand out of the car window and letting it fly. It bounces to the beat of my favorite song.

I love listening to people’s stories and witnessing the change in their lives.

I love hugging my grandparents on an average sunday afternoon. Their sloppy kisses and life lessons.

I love praising my Father with the church. United we stand strong.

The inescapable pain in the world tries to mask the beauty. It stretches its arms to cover the light, but it can’t reach. Everyone has a little light–just enough to smile at it. The pain tries to mask the beauty …
… but the beauty masks the pain.

I can almost smell the dirt in the air. The air messes up my curled hair that took too long to end up falling because of the annoying, unnecessary breeze. It feels like I’m surrounded by annoying, unnecessary things.

It’s annoying that after I went to cheer practice for four hours, I have to come home and do two hours of homework. And eat dinner. And shower.

It’s annoying that after I planned on getting invisaligns, I find out that I’m not a possible candidate. I’ll become a braceface around the time that all my friends are getting their braces off.

It’s annoying that wearing an outfit is just one step closer to having to do laundry. Laundry is such a long process, and I’m too impatient.

It’s annoying when I have to get up early in the morning for school. I require a little more sleep than what’s possible for me to receive.

It’s annoying when people are always happy. It makes me feel like I’m too sad compared to their sunshine and rainbows.

It’s annoying when people clap after the movie ends. This isn’t a theatre production; nobody is going to be offended without a standing ovation.

It’s annoying when I have to go to relatives’ houses for birthdays. It seems like that’s the only time that they want to see me.

It’s annoying when people only talk about themselves. There are more important things happening in this world.

The most annoying part about all of this, is that it’s not that annoying. Deep down, I know that there is more positive than negative that comes out of these annoying, unnecessary things. My mind automatically goes to the “glass half empty” situations instead of realizing the good in these things. I know that I’m trying to see the positive …
… but to me, the negative always overshadows the positive.