I open my eyes as sunlight streaks through my bedroom blinds. I am 4 years old and it’s a Saturday morning in May. I hear the birds tweet as they stretch their wings getting ready for the day’s flight. I wonder what this day holds in store. I smell scrambled eggs sizzling on the stove, but I get strawberries and cream for breakfast instead. My curly blonde hair is all tangled up, and I am dreading brushing it today. I run on errands with my dad and then we work in the yard. My hands tingle in the wet dirt. I get distracted as I find wiggly worms and smell the pink tulips. I watch my mom as she makes dinner. I hope its spaghetti. I play pirates with Joe and live in pure bliss. Later, my daddy rocks me to sleep under the twinkling stars while singing my favorite lullabies. My simple four year old life is perfect as I see the world in technicolor.
I open my eyes as my alarm buzzes. I am 17 years old and it is a school morning in May. My school year is just wrapping up. The intensity and stress of test review and exams is finally over and now I can focus on enjoying the end of my junior year. I roll right onto my knees and thank my Heavenly Father for all he has blessed me with. Then I proceed to shower, eat breakfast, attempt to wake up a very groggy Joe, and put on makeup. I head to school knowing that today is going to be a wonderful day. I listen during class, but I doze off during French. I talk to friends and I am grateful they accept me for being me. I dream of my future and everything that’s in store me. I see the drama of high school life and I wish everyone could just get along. Then, the best part of the day, going home. I walk in my room and see that my mom folded my laundry for me (she’s the best). I help prepare dinner and do what’s left of my homework. I can’t wait for Dad to come home so that we can talk (he’s wonderful too). Hopefully, after my long day I can finally get my beauty sleep. My life as a 17 year old is definitely more complicated than in the past, but I love it for what it is and I still the world in technicolor.
Although the spontaneity of my childhood is gone, those 13 years of growing up sure taught me a lot about life and not accepting being average. I remember that being 4 meant being everyone’s best friend and living life to have fun. I remember finding joy in the smallest things that worms and lullabies. I remember that I loved myself. I am not your average teenager because I live life with the values of a child. I love knowing people and being friends with everyone. I try to change my focus as I look for the small things and most importantly I have come to accept myself because I am strong. I love strawberries. I am willing to learn. I am creative. I love my family. I like playing the piano and I love pearls and lace. I am short and blonde. I am a daughter of God. I am me.
New teenager post on dear c jane by my niece Lindsay!
I am c jane and I am impressed with teenagers like Anne.
I am also speaking this weekend:
contact me:
cjanemail@gmail.com
42 Pieces of Opinion:
Where are you finding these teenagers? They're amazing and wise beyond their years.
That was just beautiful...its 6:11 a.m. here on the east coast..i have tears in my eyes after reading this..happy to start my day that way. My daughter is 11..i will print this for her to read and save for her to read every year.
Anne you should be so proud of yourself and I am sure your parents are beyond proud of you!!
so enjoying this teen week so far..great job cjane!
in a world jaded and filled with so much noise I am so happy to have read your words first thing this morning. a most lovely way to start my day.
Beautiful and so exquisitely expressed for a 17-year-old.
Beautiful and so exquisitely expressed for a 17-year-old.
What a wonderful young lady. She is so at peace with her life.
WOW! She reached deep inside to provide this thought provoking essay? I wish I remember my childhood as vividly.
Oh My gosh!!! Love her! What a testimony of how God wants us to live everyday of our lives as His children. She need s blog, help her out. I want to read more! God bless!
Oh how I wish I had had this much confidence and courage and hope as a teenager. I am so encouraged and inspired by this young lady!
What a talented writer! I loved this post - as I read it at work this morning it brought tears to my eyes. I hope my baby girl grows up to look at life that way!
It' beautiful to see a young woman who exemplifies strength and goodness.
Anne-
You are definitely NOT average!! You've got it altogether... at 17! You have quite a knack for writing too, are you considering that for a career? Loved the post!!!
I have a 12 year old daughter and I am going to share this with her. Thank you for sharing a day in your life. For being you and knowing who you are. wonderful.
Thank you Anne. I hope my daughter (7) will have your attitude and outlook on life in 10 years.
Oh Anne, this is lovely. Well written, and a perfectly beautiful reason to not be average.
I love this! So honest,open and lovely. Very nice Anne.
O my those Tulips! I could sit for days in those tulips. I may be a little jealous of Anne Leishman and those tulips. My goodness!
What a bright and intellegent women you are Anne! Your strength in who you are and what you stand for is very apparent in your post. Thanks for being a good example to all the other youth around you (said by a mother :) ). Enjoy 17 while you can, because when your in your 30's your problems and concerns are just of a different kind. Just like when you were 4 compared to 17 :) Also thank you again for taking me on your vivid journey (now I want strawberries and cream )!
WOW, beautifully written, you are not the average teenager. I don't know you, but I am proud of you. You have a wonderful written voice for your 17 years. I can only imagine what the world has in store for you. I currently have a four year old, and I hope she is as well spoken, mature and as self aware as you.
DO THEY JUST BREED FABULOUS TEENAGERS IN UTAH OR WHAT?
Dear Anne,
I desperately wish I had known girls like you and even had a friend like you as a teenager.
May your outlook always stay so pure and correct. You're words are wonderful.
-Melanie
wow. what an amazing girl!!
I do not think there is such a thing as an "average" teenager. Every teenager I know has so much unique about him or her!! Like this thoughtful girl.
WOW! Just wanted to say, that was beautiful. And Thank You!
-Cheryl
{love} this post. period. Gives me hope for our rising generation.
Love this post. In a world that is so confused, it's nice to know that there are teenagers that know who they are and are confident in that!
What a beautifully profound post. I am touched and inspired.
Beautifully written and what a
Beautiful daughter of God. I am loving all of these wonderful posts. Hope all is well with you and your cute family!
Very beautiful. I am truly loving these posts and finding hope in the future!
Anne,
Kudos to you for your fantastic view on life. I wish at 17 I could have had your outlook and maturity. I'm 27 now, a wife and mom of 2, and have actually been thinking quite a bit about my high school years as my 10-year high school reunion is in a couple of months. I wish so badly I could have had your wisdom at 17...that I would have spent more of my time and energy thinking about and working on who I wanted to be, rather than worrying or being scared about what others thought of me. I had a pretty good high school experience, but it would have been so, SO much better if I had approached life in the same way you do. I hope I can help my children to develop the same kind of attitude you have during their teenage years! Have a great summer and an absolutely fantastic last year of high school...I'm sure you will make the absolute most of it! =)
Loving all your teenager input this week- thanks Courtney! I love how she says her favorite part of the day is "going hom." I pray my kids say the same when they are that age...
Anne is my cousin- I am so proud of her! She is as good in real life as she sounds in this post- even better actually! Love you Annie Mo!
Beautiful post. Beautiful girl. Hooray for awesome teens.
I remember being exactly like that, full of energy and spunk. Now I'm exhausted from waking up night after night with a toddler and a baby and the worst part is that I forgot how to get on my knees every morning and pray.
thanks for reminding me.
In a world where we hear so much negative information about todays teenagers, the past two posts have been such a welcome and needed reminder that all teenagers are not "average." Thank you.
Anne, I love how you completely captured a 4-year old's perspective. We should all try to think that way more often. Excellent! Love your writing!
That's my niece! Way to go Anne. Thanks for posting her essay, it was beautiful just like she is!
Technicolor is soOOOOo special! Everyone doesn't see it! Keep being the sweet child of God, Anne!
"I am not your average teenager because I live life with the values of a child."
amazing.
Sure did appreciate your writing and perspective, anne. I hope you're a future english major :)
I know Anne Leishman and she is every bit as authentic as she comes across in this post. Great stuff!
What a fantastic young lady!
proud to say I know her! Well written deary
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