The girl in the photo has a split household; that is all she knows. She has an eldest sister and older brother; baby brother was a present who arrived two weeks before her fifth birthday. The crying miracle forced the title of older sister on the girl. A title that was new. With time, two more little ones entered her life and being an older sister grew familiar and meaningful. She is never far from my family. On Sundays, Papa takes off of work. So does Mama. And all the brothers and sisters take a break from any activities that may keep them from home. Home is like a warm, fuzzy blanket on a snowy day. Comforting and safe.
One day, the girl and her family visited some friends in New Jersey. She and her brothers went playing with the other kids in the neighborhood. While talking about her, one of the children said to the other, “She is very nice, but don’t mess with her or her family.” Do not mess with her family. The girl sat there listening to them, realizing how true that statement was .She is always told how nice she is. She also knows that she is protective of her family and wants to provide the same safety for them as they provide for her. That day, the girl learned this for the first time.
She wants to have an impact on the world. When asked what she wants to be when she grows up, she says, “A veterinarian! Or even a pop star!” The girl is afraid of things that she will evenutally outgrow. She is scared that due to her bad habits, her teeth will go buck like the bunnies that hop in the backyard. She is also afraid of squirrels. She likes the movie Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, but the scene where the squirrels attack one of the characters leaves her scared for years. Adults told her that the movie scene was real. Believing them made her fear worse.
I am gullible, after all.
Nyla Wharwood is a senior. She plans on going to college and majoring in nursing. She also enjoys baking, singing, and cheerleading. She has been a cheerleader for her high school since freshman year and is now captain.