The Real Life Adventures of Anna and Saddie
Christina
by
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It is the first time that Anna has seen any emotion in Christina for a long time. Even when everyone in the class was laughing, Christina never showed any inkling of being happy. Anna says to herself, “This is a sign that maybe; just maybe, I can get her to open up.”
As Anna begins to retell the story, Christina looks up at her and slightly grins. Anna begins, “We were eight years old, and that would have made Saddie, umm, four. Yeah, that’s right, she was four. You had come over to spend the night as you used to do so often back then, and we had been excluding Saddie from playing with us, again. Well, she decided that she needed some attention. The next thing we knew she had come down the stairs with her Wonder girl underwear on her head as a crown, her pony tails sticking out the leg holes. Over the top of her pink (Barbie Tutu) she was wearing mom’s pink robe with the arms rolled up. It was so big that it flowed behind her like a royal train.” Anna snickering says, “She held the toilet plunger in her right hand like a “Scepter” saying, “I’m a Princess and you have to listen to me!” in a very demanding tone.” Anna giggling so hard now has to stop telling the story. Christina’s grin begins slowly to turn into a smile. She catches herself softly chuckling and tries to stop, but as Anna’s laughter continues, she is no longer able to contain herself and begins to laugh out loud.
Christina stops laughing long enough to say, “And you said, “Princess! Yeah, Princess Poo-Poo Head!” and we began laughing so hard we both thought we would have to go to the restroom. Your mom came in to see what was going on and we introduced Saddie to her, “Now (giggle, giggle) introducing, Her (snicker, snicker) Highness, Princess Poo-Poo Head (HE HE HE!)” and your mom started giggling trying not to upset Saddie but couldn’t help herself.”
“And Saddie just loved it and was beaming that she was getting all of this attention and attempted to “Knight” us all with her “Plunger Scepter”, but we all ran away because we didn’t want to be touched by it. So Mom went into the kitchen and returned with a long handled wooden spoon, and one at a time we all knelt down and became Knights of Princess Poo-Poo Head’s Court”, Anna added.
The two girls laugh and giggle for several minutes remembering the scene, when Christina stops and looks at Anna and says, “Oh Anna I have missed you so much. I’m so lost and miserable.” The laughing she had done so freely a few moments ago abruptly turns into tears. While crying herself, Anna wraps her arms around Christina. The girls bury their heads into each others shoulders and weep.
Neither girl, feel that the tears will ever end. Anna rubs and pats Christina’s back through the oversized coat and sweatshirt trying to calm her. When Christina does finally quit crying both of the girls become aware that they are alone in the cafeteria. Everyone else has left. “How long have we been here”, Anna wonders out loud? The clock on the wall answers her question and she realizes that they are ten minutes late for fifth period. Christina starts to get up when Anna asks her to stay and talk. She hesitantly sits back down and Anna reaches out and pushes the dirty, grimy hood back and brushes the greasy unkempt hair out of Christina’s eyes and says, “There you are!” Embarrassed, Christina looks away. Anna quietly asks, “Christina what has happened to you? Why have you pushed everyone away?”
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About the Book
Christina has been changing over the last couple of months and Anna is very concerned about her friend. Anna struggles to find out why Christina is dressing differently and avoiding everyone, including her best friend. This turns out to be very difficult as people either refuse to except the truth or just don't want to talk about it, including Christina.
While Anna is attempting to help Christina, Saddie is trying to figure out how to confront a classmate about lying. this turns out to be far more complicated than she had ever thought it would be.
To find out if Anna and Saddie help thier friends, learn about themselves, and figure out how to navigate the waters of these Real life Adventures you'll have to read the book.
About the Author
Dean is a Lisenced Mental Health Practitioner in the state of Nebraska. He specializes in working with children and adults suffering from trauma induced symptoms. As a trained Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist Dean has helped his patients overcome short and long term effects from traumatic events.
A therapist since 2002 and in private practice since 2006, Dean has helped many children and families work through difficult issues. Also, from the research information for Book Christina he has created a workshop titled, "Children, Abuse and Community Responsibility" in which he teaches people how to recognize and report child abuse and neglect.
"I encourage you to consider hiring Mr. Balderston to give his child abuse program to your organization. His presentation will give individuals valuable insights on how to recognize the warning signs of abuse and will also teach your staff how to work with chidren who have been abused." - Mr. Brad Stithem K-12 Principal/AD, Litchfield Public Schools, Litchfield, NE.
Dean lives by his motto of ,"Helping a child ends generations of illness; Past, Present, and Future. Please help a child today.", through his efforts as a Counselor, Speaker, Author, Cub Scout Leader, and School Bus Driver.