“I love you, mommy and daddy!” I say as they take me to an ice cream shop. We are all sitting together and their smiling faces make me feel happy and calm.
“I love you too Sammy,” my mom says as she kisses my forehead.
“Love ya, boy,” my dad says while patting my head.
I love memories like this as much as I love ice cream. Ice cream is my favorite food ever! I could eat it all day! I love the superhero ice cream because it makes me feel strong.
“Mommy,” I say in a confused tone.
“Yes, Sam,” she replies with her warm smile.
“When does my school start?” I say with a big smile on my face.
“In a week!” she says and hugs me tight.
I look down at my thumbs and start twiddling them sadly. My dad and mom notice and look concerned. “Samuel what’s wrong,” my dad says and my mom rubs my back.
“What if no one likes me?”
My mom’s face softens after she hears this. “Sammy of course they will like you! Just be yourself” she says and kisses my cheek. My dad gives me a reassuring smile and I feel at ease again.
It’s now been two days, which means two days closer to starting preschool. I am sitting in my room catching and throwing my baseball. I sigh to myself. I hope mommy and daddy are right. I see a neighbor boy outside playing catch with his friend, so I decide to go and play with him. I run outside and over to his yard I smile and say, “Can I play with you?”
They give me a mean look “No we don’t play with babies!” they say back and begin laughing.
I was always insecure about the way my words had a baby tone to them. For example, if someone told me to say red I would say wed. I look down, smile sadly and say, “Please guys?”
They just laugh at me and say, “Get away dumbo, you might fly away with those enormous ears.”
I try to act tough, but as I turn around I feel tears dripping down my cheeks. I run inside and slam my door in anger. I look in the mirror at my large ears. I look at myself in disgust and whisper to myself “Maybe they were right…” I say with a serious face.
It’s now the next day and It’s time for school. While I am getting ready, I am anxious but try to calm down. My mom is driving me to school and the car finally gets to a stop. I get out and say, “I love you, Mommy.”
“I love you too, Sammy,” my mom and dad say as they kiss me goodbye. This is my first day of preschool. I’m so excited and slightly nervous, but I can’t wait to make new friends.