Forever

I haven't seen you in forever and here you are.

You are right here in front of me but I don't know what to say.

You have been gone for so long. I have so many questions.

Yet, I can't speak, all I can do is hold you.

I'm so glad you are! Safe and sound on firm ground.

I'll never let you go again.

Alive

What is the meaning of the word alive?
Does something alive have to have skin...
Or what about a pulse?
Is a plastic toy alive? It is to a young boy.
So who really knows the definition of the word "alive?"
Does alive mean to be able to move?
If it does, cars move. Does this mean cars are alive?
Some believe fantasies are alive, like young children who have imaginary friends.
So....who defines "alive" and do we have to agree with their definition?

Smile

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Tom. Tom was a brilliant student at school. He always got straight A's and he had a lot of friends. However, Tom never liked to smile because when he smiled, he thought he looked like a dork. Every time Tom got his picture taken, no matter how much his parents and acquaintances pleaded, Tom never smiled. However, Tom was happy not smiling and he didn't understand why everyone wanted him to smile; to him he looked better not smiling then when he was smiling.

It was Thursday, a beautiful day outside, but Tom was worried. Everyone in school was talking about school picture day tomorrow; what to wear, how to style their hair, the order of class pictures etc. Tom couldn't stand it! Even though he didn't mind getting his picture taken, he knew people were going to tell him to smile. Year after year he heard the same thing, "Smile Tom so your family can see." Tom, didn't want to hear it anymore. He decided that he was going to skip getting his picture taken tomorrow.

The day arrived, that horrible day! Tom woke up and got dressed, he already knew his plan for how he was going to skip getting his picture taken. Tom got dressed, ate his favorite breakfast cereal, and went to the bus stop. All his friends were there dressed up nice, they were all excited to get their picture taken. Tom hid in the background, keeping his thoughts to himself just listening to everyones' excitement.

As the day went on, Tom went to all his classes and hung out with his friends. At 2:30 pm Tom got nervous because his class was getting pictures taken in one hour. Tom thought through his plan throughout the whole day. He was going to ask to go to the bathroom right before his class had to leave and ask to meet the class by the photographer but he wouldn't show up. However, Tom kept hearing the excitement from his classmates about getting their picture taken and slowly he decided to change his mind. He thought that maybe if he tried to smile, just maybe it wouldn't be bad this year.

When 3:30 came, Tom did ask to go to the bathroom and to meet his class there. However, after using the bathroom, Tom did return to his class just in time to get his picture taken. When the photographer said, ""Smile Tom so your family can see," this time Tom gave a huge smile with no hesitation. When the pictures got developed, Tom was not embarrassed about his picture, he loved it and he loved his smile!