When you talk to the Lord, be mindful of what you're asking for. God ain't no Santa Claus, they liked to say. My aunt and lots of people at church were always warning us kids about our prayers.

In my prayers, I promised I'd share my secret talent with the world, if only God made my dream come true. (It's the kind used by all the best Internet sensations! At least, that's what Faith says.) I've got lots that need fixing.Īll I asked God for was one thing: for Daddy to find a way to get me a Takahashi 3000x keyboard and microphone. Have you ever wondered how an author would fix your life in a book? If the author of Holes, Louis Sachar, wrote a book about me, would he write about the fact that I'm really quiet? That at times I like being alone? Would he write about how I get this shaky, dry-mouthed feeling that makes my heart race whenever I'm around a lot of people? And if he did write a story about a girl like me, one who loves to read and plans to write great stories, a girl who is quiet yet tired of getting talked over and overlooked, tired of being pitied, how would Mr.

I love reading, because authors have an amazing gift-they see problems and they find solutions. 1 Bestselling Author of Amazing Stories one day, so I like to study the works of other authors. Talk about a curse! It was a great book, and I've reread it a few times. It was about this kid, Stanley Yelnats, who got sent away to an awful juvie place in the desert for something he didn't even do. I read a book over the summer called Holes. Now, four weeks away from my next birthday, that blessing feels more like a curse. No more sad, weird birthdays.įunny thing, though.

If God answered my prayers it would be a sign. Last year I stood outside my bedroom on this very balcony, staring past the dark mountaintops, pleading for a miracle. I'm up in the middle of the night because I simply cannot sleep. I live in western Pennsylvania in a small town called Harmony. Always remember, you are the high note of my life. Cadence, my sweet little Mouse, so quiet and shy. You deserve to be loved more than I can offer. Cadence and Junior are lucky to have you. Jeremiah, you are a great man, wonderful husband, and terrific father.

I can't grow in Harmony, can't be a star here.

The sweetest sound sherri winston