When I Grow Up, I’m Going to Be a ...
When Lina was four, she stood in front of her preschool class, holding a finger painting, full of indiscernible shapes and colors, titled, "My Mommy," and said proudly that she wanted to become an artist.
When Lina was seven, she announced to her dance class, in a puffy pink tutu, one missing front tooth, hair up in a bun her mom had to attempt three times, that she wanted to be a ballerina. Her friends clapped and shouted encouragement, while her dance teacher smiled indulgently and told everyone to start the dance again.
Lina, age nine, smiled for her elementary school yearbook photo. When asked, "Lina Alden, what do you want to be when you grow up?", she replied, "First girl president!" The photographer laughed and said, "I'm sure you will be, Ms. Alden."
At twelve, Lina loved her home economics class. Her favorite part was cooking, which they did once a week. This week, they were making cake. As she stirred the batter, she told her friend Michael, a plump boy with braces, that she would become a baker. Michael nodded and stuck his finger on the batter. "Just a taste, Lina," he shouted, as she chased him around the table, laughing.
Fifteen-year-old Lina received another A+ on her biology test. She loved the class and thought her teacher was brilliant. When he asked her about her future plans, Lina said that she wanted to become a doctor. Her teacher told her that it was a worthy goal, and the world needed good doctors.
The car crash wasn't her fault. At least, not all of it. She underestimated the time she needed to make the turn, but the other car didn't slow down. The newspaper reported that Lina Alden, age sixteen, was in the hospital with serious injuries. A few days later, she was in recovery, talking to her nurse. He asked her what she wanted to do when she grew up. Lina responded, "I'd like the chance to grow up." The nurse reassured her that she would live, but when he left the room, he almost cried. That night, an intern miscalculated the amount of pills Lina needed. The doctors almost didn't save her in time.
Lina Alden looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair and makeup was beautiful. She had just graduated from college with a degree in biology, and was going to start medical school next year. Lina was grateful for what she had accomplished in life, especially when, a few years ago, she hadn't been certain that she would make it to adulthood.
"Lina, sweetie, are you ready?" Her dad asked, wearing a formal suit.
"Yeah, Dad, I'm ready," she said, turning and walking towards him, pulling the white veil over her face.
She was marrying the love her life, Michael, who had grown into a handsome gentleman. Lina was happy.
