Paden

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Daughter, sister, friend and student. I'm 12 years old and I am a silly, kind, extroverted leader. The worst day of my life was when my dad was in an accident. He fell and spent a long time in the hospital. I feared I was going to lose him because it was almost 2 years until he was home for good. I worry a lot about losing people. I struggle with a learning disability so it can be tough to balance all of my school work. At times I feel defined by it but I try my best to push through and ask for help when I need it. When a bunch of my friends abandoned me it made me feel like I didn't fit in. It hurt because I thought they were my real friends. I thought I could trust them and they just stopped hanging out with me. Sometimes I doubt if I'm good enough for people. I catch myself holding onto the story that people are going to leave me but my new story is that I can be anything I want to be. I don't believe in giving up even when things are tough. I feel most alive when I'm skating because I can be myself and I feel strong. Success to me comes from happiness and being grateful. I feel happy when I'm with family, friends, animals, being active, acting and singing. Beauty is found in kindness. I wish people put themselves out there more and stood up to people who don't appreciate them. A light in my life is my cousin Junie. She tells me everything will be ok and that I can be successful. In 10 years I hope to be on Broadway. I am proud that I try to be a good leader. I wish people knew that I have feelings too. I love to laugh, be kind and to make people feel appreciated. I am Paden. I believe in leadership, kindness and hard-work. I am beautiful.