The Bravest Knight

    Once upon a time there was a young knight. He had a wonderful family who loved him more than anything. One day he received a special calling. There was a dragon in a far off land, and he was needed to help defeat it!

Though he was very scared and sad to leave his family, he rode on bravely, knowing it was what the King needed him to do.

     Being in the new land was very difficult. His horse ran away so he had to walk everywhere, and he couldn't contact his family. The only thing he had from home was a book called “How to Fight Dragons.” Luckily there was another knight who was in the same situation. They became the best of friends.

     After many weeks they realized they couldn't beat this dragon by themselves. They had to teach the villagers. They went door to door, telling people about their book. It could teach them how to fight the dragon! But many people slammed their doors, thinking they were crazy. Others even liked having the dragon around.

However, there were many people who wanted to know. The knights taught them, and the people became knights for their own village. Then they’d move on. The dragon would threaten a new village, and they’d do the same thing there.

     It was very, very hard on them.  They missed their families, people were rude to them, and sometimes they just wanted to go home.  But the King would often send them gifts as a reward for their hard work. This helped them to keep going.

It took a long, long time, but one day with the help of all the villagers they had met, the dragon was defeated! Everyone thanked the two knights, and they all celebrated.

     The King sent each of them letters. The other knight was overjoyed. The King had said he could go home. He asked the young knight if he was doing the same.
    “No”, came the reply. His letter said -

     My dear friend, there is a terrible Dragon in a kingdom across many seas. I need my bravest knights to help me.  Can I count on you to be there?                                                               Sincerely,  The King

      He wasn't sure how to feel, but the King needed him. He said goodbye to his new friends, and set off to be with the King. He was sad to leave his family behind. He wouldn't see them for far too long.

     But this whole journey had brought him more joy than he had ever known! He was helping so many people, and he really loved that.

     One day the King gave him the  most wonderful gift! It was a small looking-glass. But this wasn't just any looking-glass. It allowed him to watch over his family.

     So he continued in that far away land. He watched over his family, sometimes sending a dove to comfort them when they were struggling. He knew he’d be with them again someday, but until then he worked valiantly, side by side with the King. . .

     Because he was the bravest knight.

My Heartland

My Land
You are the song ever singing in me
And you are the heart ever true
For you are my land and you always will be
The voice ever calling me home to you

Whenever I'm asked where I'd like to go if I could travel anywhere, or where I'd like to serve my mission, my answer is always Ireland. Then I'm given one of two responses- "Ireland is beautiful!" OR *person looks at me like I'm some kind of messed up weirdo alien thing* "...Ireland? Why?" Well, I'm not very good at explaining why, but I'll do my best. I'll try and show you how I feel at the thought of it.

That yearning when you've wanted something so badly that you know you can't be completely happy without it- That's my Ireland. That longing for a warm embrace and peace in your soul- That's my Ireland. The moment when a song brings tears to your eyes because it speaks of home to your heart- That's my Ireland. The beautiful, soft something that's calling you, telling you that it's where you belong- That's my Ireland. The joy of having a friend always- That's my Ireland. That feeling when you know that God loves you- That's my Ireland.

I don't really expect you to fully understand why I feel this way, but you very well may. I think everyone has a heartland, whether they've figured it out or not. We all have a place where our hearts belong, where we need to be. Ireland is mine. Even if it isn't what I've dreamed of, it's still my heart. I'll go there someday, I know it. Find your heartland. Find the place that you think of when you hear music that truly speaks to you. Find the place that makes your face light up at the slightest thought of it. Find home, and go there.

I'm tired!

Yaaay :3 and life is good. And Princess Festival is glorious. Le end.

A Day For Dads

Where did the name "dad" come from?' It sounds silly :) I like it though. Of course, I just call my dad "father". I'm odd like that. Anyway, I love my dad :) he's always been there for me, and he's the one I turn to when I need help. One of the things I love best about him is that he lets me be the way I am. As I'm sure you know, I'm what many would consider weird. I really am, and I'm totally okay with that. I like myself! And I usually have something to say or do, much to my mother's dismay. She's very much geared toward the whole children-should-be-seen-not-heard idea and often tells me to be normal or be quiet. My dad is the opposite. He's always encouraging me to do my best in whatever weird thing I'm doing, and I don't recall him ever telling me to shut up (well, seriously, at least :3). He'll usually listen to what I have to say, no matter how ridiculous -or right- I may sound. And I really love that :) He tries really hard to not get super frustrated with me, which is QUITE the feat. He's pretty much the best :) so, happy Fathers' Day, everyone! Tell your dad, grandpa, uncle, best friend, whoever, that you're glad they exist :)

A Little Reminder

"Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile"
This has got to be one of my top ten favorite songs ever. EVER. I know some people might disagree with the lyrics. Today we're told that if we're struggling, we need to let people know, not hold it in or try to deal with it ourselves. Otherwise we'll get overwhelmed and end up doing things that really could have been avoided. Some might view this song as going against that; keeping your feelings to yourself, not letting people know how you feel, being fake. But this song means quite the opposite to me. What better advice is there than to simply smile? Life is crazy sometimes. We get lost, we get hurt, we suffer. But there are so many things to smile about! And really, if you can find something to smile about, you'll be alright. Smile, through your fear and sorrow. Smile, and maybe tomorrow you'll see the sun come shining through for you. For you :) isn't that a wonderful thought? No matter what you're going through, what clouds might be in the way of your feeling the sun's warm rays, just smile. Enjoy the rain. Maybe there's a lovely raspberry bush hiding in your garden that really needed that rain. And then it'll grow lovely little raspberries just for you! I love raspberries. They're lovely. Anyway, I just wanted to remind you all to smile. I don't know how many people actually read what I post, there's probably only... two people and a jelly bean. Maybe. But that's okay, as long as you take the opportunity to smile at whatever may come your way. I love the simplicity of it. So... there's your reminder :) You'll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile.

Tomorrow Is On Its Way

Just a little something we wrote in English :) Yay life.

Tomorrow Is On Its Way
by Paige Burton

I’d thought that Alice in Wonderland was a silly story. . .  until I read it. I’d only seen the movie adaptations. When I finally read it a few years ago, I fell in love. It was filled with excitement and wonder. It was that kind of excitement and wonder that stays in your heart forever, reminding you of pure childhood magic. Carroll writes:

“Suppose it were nine o’clock in the morning, just time to begin lessons: you’d only have to whisper a hint to Time, and round goes the clock in a twinkling! Half-past one, time for dinner!” . . .
“That would be grand, certainly,” said Alice thoughtfully; “but then-- I shouldn’t be hungry for it, you know.”
“Not at first, perhaps,” said the Hatter: “but you could keep it to half-past one as long as you liked.”

Unfortunately, I can’t do that. Time keeps going. Tomorrow is on its way. If I don’t live life proactively, tomorrow will be here, and my chance will be lost.

Last year I got a pocket watch. When I’m stressed, I hold it against my ear and listen. I used to hate the sound of clocks ticking. Now it takes me to Wonderland, that land where the Time that we know here doesn’t exist. Tomorrow is on its way, but it hasn’t come yet.

They say it’s darkest before the dawn. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like the dawn will come, and you’re falling down a never-ending rabbit hole. But you pick up your pocket watch. You hold it against your ear, and you listen. Tick. . . tick. . . tick. . . And you realize that dawn is coming. You can hear it getting closer. Tomorrow is on its way, and it’s bringing a brighter day.

Tomorrow is on its way. Whether we choose to work toward, ignore, or find hope in it, it will be here soon. This I believe, and it is this that gives me strength.

Broken and New

         I

Excitement and confidence
Racing through me,
Doubtless that I’d get in.

They knew I could sing.
They knew I could act.
They knew I could dance.

My unwavering dream of five years--
AIDA: The Musical.
It was finally coming true.

They’d let us know
Who got a part
In a few day’s time.

Anticipation builds
As I wait.
The list is up!

    II

. . . Heartbreak.
I just don’t understand.
I was so sure I could do it.

“It’s okay,” I tell them.
“I’m so proud of all of you!
Make it the best show I’ve ever seen!”

But trying to be strong is hard.
Once that shell breaks,
All you have inside is pain.

I can be cheerful
For a while.
But is seeming “happy”
Worth the hurt?

Sometimes
You need to fall to the ground
And just cry.

Cry for the hopelessness.
Cry for your shattered heart.
Cry, if only for the sake of crying.

And then you get up.
You brush away your broken dreams
And you pray you’ll find something else to live for.

III

Though still crushed,
I go back.
I go back to where this grief began.

I know I can’t be in it,
But maybe. . .
Maybe I can still be a part of it.

I could make the play.
It can’t come to life without costumes!
There’s a spark of hope.

Sparks become flames,
And flames rise,
Bright and warm.

Under the broken pieces
Of my former passion,
I think I’ve finally found it:
My new dream.