Hi my name is Sarah, and I’m here to tell you a story with a valuable lesson. So it all started with my school talent show.
“Hey mom and dad.”
“Yes sweetie,” Mom responded while washing dishes.
“I would like to join the school’s talent show for extra credit,” I stated.
“Sure honey,” My dad chimed in while drinking his morning coffee and reading the newspaper.
They smiled but it didn’t reach their eyes, I win awards and academic achievements back to back all the time. At first they used to be very excited, but the more awards I won the more they started to show less interest and excitement. I always wanted to have the life my parents have, I already have their looks. I got my mom's big brown doe eyes, my dad's long curly hair with a mixture of both their features. I begin making myself some cereal before I have to head out to school, I sit down and begin eating, then my older sister walks in.
“Good morning, sweetie,” My parents said cheerfully.
I haven’t been greeted like that in a long time. My sister is the rebellious type, you know, the skip school, smoke cigarettes type. She ignores them for a few minutes and then finally notices their greeting.
“Will you guys be at my graduation?” She asked without a care in the world.
“Yes, sweetie of course,” Mom replied with excitement in her voice.
3 weeks later.
I have been practicing my singing non-stop, no breaks, because I want to be absolutely perfect and ready. Because I want my parents to be proud of me. But lately my throat has been hurting, but I push past that and keep practicing, nothing won’t get in my way.
Today I was practicing in my bedroom when all of sudden my voice cut out. When I try to speak it sounds like a whooshing sound with a little bit of squeaking. I instantly ran downstairs to my parents.
They immediately rushed me to the nearest pediatrician's office. I watched nervously as the blur of cars passed us.. We came to a stop and a red suv pulled up on the side of us, I looked over to see a family of three, I looked closer and saw the child had gold medals around his neck. They were most likely praising him for his good achievement. It made me think and remember how my parents used to be with me, I let out a small tear.
The pediatrician pulled the popsicle stick out of my mouth. Right now my pediatrician is speaking with my parents.
“So it seems Sarah here overworked her vocal cords, which caused her to lose her voice,” the doctor explained.
My parents looked at me, “Why did you do that to yourself Sarah you could have really damaged your voice?!” My mom yelled.
“I just wanted to be perfect and ready for the talent show,” I muttered out.
“You don’t damage yourself for a show,” My dad chimed in. I began to cry from the heat I was taking on.
“I wanted your love and attention, you guys don’t congratulate me on my accomplishments any more, you're more focused on the other two” I sniffled out. I looked down at the marble floor, then began fiddling with my hands while I cried.
“Oh sweetie we do see your accomplishments, and we adore you for them, we focus on the other two because we know we can count on you to be successful, don’t ever damage yourself for the likes of someone, including us.” My mom said with tears in her eyes.
“And we love you, your special and our little overachiever,” My dad added. I cheered up a lot and smiled.
“Thank you mom and dad.”
“You're welcome sweetie, just know we see you,” I nodded.
“Aw, this is so wholesome, but back to what we were saying, she needs to rest her vocal cords and drink plenty of water, do not strain or use your voice as much, she needs to start communicating through text or paper and pencil.”
“Ok, thankyou doctor”
3 Months Later
I’m sitting at home with my family, school has let out for me and my siblings, my older sister has graduated, I was able to make it to my competition, my parents came and watched me, I felt loved again, even though I came in second my parents still came out and supported me like they used to and that's all I’ve ever wanted.