TEEN MEMO

THRILLING GROWTH part 1

•°•Growing up, Growing up,

Right under my nose.

Can you flash your mind,

Back to the days of childhood?

Those evergreen memories,

remain evergreen.

Evergreen! Evergreen!! Evergreen!!!

Beholding a new stage,

Beholding a new step,

Beholding a new story.

Evergreen! Evergreen!! Evergreen!!!

ooooooooh.....

Those sweet memories

I'd always cherish.•°•

`~~~~Evergreen Memories

Daniella Rogers.

Literally, time flew from seconds to years.

Seconds turned into minutes,

Minutes into hours,

Hours into days,

Days into weeks,

Weeks into months,

Months into years.

It was so overwhelming to know that little Daniella of yesterday has transformed into an adorable sixteen year old teenager.

Literally, she went to sleep as a child but in a blink of an eye and the snap of her fingers, everything changed; she instantly became a teenager.

That was a silly joke!

It doesn't exist IN REAL LIFE.

It was a new Genesis of her story on becoming a teenager, she grew up right under my nose, right under our nose.

When Daniella was a child, she was more or less weightless and tiny but things changed. Those diseases that her white blood corpuscles couldn't fight against had turned into a history. Her immune system suddenly became resistant to diseases, infections and external threats. It became a mystery that even doctors and surgeons couldn't comprehend talk less of explaining what the cause was.

Leonard Rogers told his daughter that nothing was impossible or too extraordinary for God to handle.

On one occasion few years back, Daniella was in her room sobbing when Leonard knocked on her door. She let him come in, as she was trying to wipe off her tears.

“What's wrong, my angel?" He asked, drawing closer to her. Eucharia was tearsome and that was one of the traits she transferred to her daughter, Daniella.

“It's nothing really dad, I'm fine."

"Dani never lies and whenever she lied, it meant that something was wrong. So tell me dear, what happened? A pretty girl can't find pleasure in sitting on her bed and crying for nothing really. Tears are triggered either by sadness or excitement and at this point, it doesn't seem like tears of excitement but tears of sadness... Confide in daddy. You said that I'm the number one best daddy in the world... So tell the best daddy what happened to you so that he can share your problems with you and even solve it with you. Can you remember that proverb which says that “two heads are better than one?" Daniella nods in affirmation.

Leonard continued.

“That means Daddy and Dani's heads are better than Dani's head alone. Ain't daddy correct?"

Daniella began to smile. Her dad was really her hero.

What did he say that raised Daniella's mood back to life?

“Yes daddy. You're right in everything you said. You really are my amazing hero..."Daniella said as she smiled and flicked Leonard's hair.

Leonard was so excited for bringing back his daughter's smile.

“So,tell me. What happened?"

“Dad,I just feel like changing my school at this time. I've been made a laughing stock in my class."

“Why would you say that? Who made you a laughing stock?" Leonard inquisitively asked.

“The girls in my class, Becky especially. She insulted me today when I said that I am thirteen years old. She then mocked me saying that I look like her seven year old neighbor's daughter. She further said that even Grace, the youngest in the class looked far older and more mature that I am and the entire class burst into uncontrollable laughter. I really felt embarrassed. They didn't even care if I was among the intelligent students in the class. All they wanted was to make me feel embarrassed. I just had to cry my eyes out just to feel a little better." Daniella said, as one could notice the sadness in her voice.

“Don't say that dear. I've told you several times that brave girls accept and defeat their challenges. They never give up even when the world makes them feel that throwing in the towel is the best thing to do. Besides, no matter what you do in life, no matter your identity, no matter who you are, people wouldn't seize their mouths from speaking. They have mouths to speak, though not all use their mouths the right way. You'd be fine. Okay?" Leonard said, patting her on her shoulders.

“But daddy, why do people always make fun of my stature and body shame me? Am I really that small?"

“Forget what people say and move on. Everyone has their life to live. And you know what?" He asked.

Daniella made an 'I-don't-know' gesture.

“Those people who mock you today, will regret tomorrow."

“Dad, you're saying all this to make me feel better, right?" Daniella giggled.

“No dear. It's an assurance. I've met a number of people who suddenly improved after people mocked them. Now, those people who find pleasure in making fun of them are living to regret their actions... But Dani, I know something that would make you feel better. Would you like to know what that is?"

“Of course. I need whatever it is now."

“It's simple. Prayer. Praying to God can help you solve your problems. You can tell him that your stature makes you feel bad whenever people mock you. Beg Him to mold you into the person you desire to be." Leonard told her.

“But dad. I've done that countless number of times. Still nothing's changed. I even look meagre the more. Do you think I wronged God or maybe God is happy whenever people mock me?"

“Discard that thought from your mind! God can never be happy to see you sad. He has an appointed time for everything but one thing I know for sure is that He would answer your prayer in due time especially when you exercise strong faith and patience in him. It may not be today, it may not be tomorrow but he will answer it soon; when you least expect." Leonard said.

“Okay... I wouldn't give up." Daniella said as she hugged him.

“Thank you daddy for bringing back my happiness. I love you so much" she eked.

* * * * * *

Daniella agreed with Leonard and kept being positive. She prayed solemnly everyday thanking God for her life and that of her family. She also prayed for God to help her solve her problems, because He is her problem solver. Problems comprising her low body weight, her weak immune system and for her to be able to cope with those who mocked her for her little statue.

She had an affirmation that God would change her look someday and that those who used to tease her, including Becky Manchester would hide their faces in shame.

Daniella didn't lie when she told Leonard that she has been praying for a long time now still, she hadn't seen any improvement. She started this quest for a new look since she was ten years of age.

Two years had come and passed, still there wasn't a sign of change. So was her current thirteenth year. That was when she practically lost hope.

Fortunately, Leonard came right in time to revive and boost her faith in God. In the midway of her fourteenth year, everything changed drastically.

Her prayers were answered!

The sudden change in her new look thrilled everyone who knew her, including Becky Manchester, the class #1 mocker; queen of gossip.